subinhibitory
adjective
sub·in·hib·i·to·ry ˌsəb-in-ˈhi-bə-ˌtȯr-ē 
: not producing inhibition (as of bacterial growth) : not completely inhibitory
nonlethal, subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics
Word History
First Known Use
1923, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
subinhibitory
adjective
sub·in·hib·i·to·ry ˈsəb-in-ˈhi-bə-ˌtȯr-ē
: being or containing a concentration that is below one capable of inhibiting the detectable growth and replication of a microorganism
subinhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial agents
subinhibitory antibiotics
subinhibitory doses