The Latin roots of the word 'liminal'

'Liminal' is a word borrowed from Latin 'limen'. The word entered the English language some time around 1884.

liminal [adjective] [1884]

• of or relating to a sensory threshold
• barely perceptible
• of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition
• in-between

Meaning: of or relating to a sensory threshold; barely perceptible; of; relating to; or being an intermediate state; phase; or condition : in-between transitional in the liminal state between life and death Deborah Jowitt.

Etymology: Latin limin-; limen threshold.

Topics: Society:Culture.

Origin: From Latin to English.

note: Derived from the Latin limen meaning threshold. Liminal entered English in the late 19th century through psychological contexts - referring to a threshold of perception.

See 'liminal' on the Loan Words Map

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