supramaximaladj.n.
/ˌsuːprəˈmaksᵻml/, /ˌsjuːprəˈmaksᵻml/, U.S. /ˌsuprəˈmæksəm(ə)l/ Physiology.
Of a stimulus: exceeding the value required to produce the maximum response; involving such a stimulus. Also as n. (rare).
ΚΠ
1868 C. E. Morgan Electro-physiol. & Therapeutics xxxix. 602 The lift-height keeps on increasing until a second, or supra-maximal maximum is reached.
1905 Science 23 June 948/2 Stimulation at high or low temperatures merely expresses an intensified or modified irritability... Death at the supramaximal or subminimal may be due to changes of a very definite nature.
1977 Lancet 30 Apr. 942/1 Desmedt and Borenstein have modified this test..by first applying a train of supramaximal stimuli at 3 Hz for 4 minutes.
2008 M. L. Steer & G. Perides in H. G. Beger et al. Dis. Pancreas xvi. 156/1 Within hours of the start of this supramaximal stimulation, extensive edematous pancreatitis was observed.
Derivatives
ˌsupraˈmaximally adv. to a supramaximal extent.
ΚΠ
1901 Jrnl. Physiol. 26 Suppl. p. xl If the nerve be sufficiently strongly supramaximally stimulated, a fresh series of stimulations of increasing strength gives a ‘Gap’.
1973 Nature 26 Oct. 465/1 The sciatic nerve was stimulated supramaximally at a rate of 6.4 Hz.
2008 N. Draper & C. Hodgson Adventure Sport Physiol. iv. 120/1 Eccentric contractions have been used in the past by weightlifters as part of a strategy to increase the overload (supramaximally) to improve maximal lifting.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1868