non-lethal

See also: nonlethal

English

Alternative forms

• nonlethal

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

not capable of causing death

Russian: несмерте́льный (ru) (nesmertélʹnyj), нелета́льный (ru) (neletálʹnyj) Ukrainian: несмерте́льний (nesmertélʹnyj), нелета́льний (neletálʹnyj)

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.