subcritical
adjective
sub·crit·i·cal ˌsəb-ˈkri-ti-kəl 
1
: less or lower than critical in respect to a specified factor
2
a
: of insufficient size to sustain a chain reaction
a subcritical mass of fissionable material
b
: designed for use with fissionable material of subcritical mass
a subcritical reactor
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web If the brain were extremely subcritical, according to Beggs, incoming signals would get damped and have no impact. 
Jennifer Ouellette, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2018 Priesemann suggests that the brain is slightly subcritical. Jennifer Ouellette, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2018 Similarly, Viola Priesemann of the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Gottingen has argued that the brain operates in a slightly subcritical zone. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 June 2019 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 See More
Jennifer Ouellette, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2018 Priesemann suggests that the brain is slightly subcritical. Jennifer Ouellette, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2018 Similarly, Viola Priesemann of the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Gottingen has argued that the brain operates in a slightly subcritical zone. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 June 2019 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 These refer to experiments involving a subcritical mass of nuclear materials that allow scientists to examine the performance and safety of weapons without triggering a nuclear chain reaction and explosion. Kim Tong-hyung, The Seattle Times, 13 May 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1