non-lethal

See also: nonlethal

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From non- +‎ lethal.

Adjective

non-lethal (not comparable)

  1. Not capable of causing death.
    a non-lethal dose
  2. Designed to cause incapacitation without causing death.
    Synonym: less-lethal
    Government officials think a universal malodor, or offensive odor, might prove effective as a non-lethal weapon.

Translations

Noun

non-lethal (plural non-lethals)

  1. Any weapon that incapacitates without causing death.

Usage notes

  • Weapons designed to incapacitate can still cause death, so the more precise term less-[than-]lethal is sometimes used instead.
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