Definition of subcritical
1
: less or lower than critical in respect to a specified factor
2a
: 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for subcritical
The first known use of subcritical was in 1823
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