subclinical

[ suhb-klin-i-kuhl ]

adjective

, Medicine/Medical.

1. pertaining to an early stage of a disease; having no noticeable clinical symptoms.

subclinical

/ sʌbˈklɪnɪkəl /

adjective

1. med of or relating to the stage in the course of a disease before the symptoms are first noted

Derived Forms

• subˈclinically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of subclinical¹

First recorded in 1930–35; sub- + clinical

Example Sentences

Treatment benefits in the UF-led study were seen among participants with subclinical depression and anxiety, meaning their symptoms may not meet the criteria for diagnosis.

From Science Daily

"Therefore, clinicians need help to identify those who will go on to have psychotic symptoms using not only subclinical signs, such as changes in thinking, behavior and emotions, but also some biological markers."

From Science Daily

"For 10-year-olds, trying to find indicators of wear and tear in the body can be challenging because youth at this age generally are not manifesting any clinical or subclinical symptoms yet," he said.

From Science Daily

Elevated cholesterol and dyslipidaemia from childhood and adolescence have been associated with premature death in the mid-forties and heart problems such as subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiac damage in the mid-twenties.

From Science Daily

They did find that participants who scored high for emotional eating did show some signs of subclinical cardiovascular damage 13 years later.

From Seattle Times