Nonintensive

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Lacking a high degree of effort, attention, or intensity in execution
2. Not characterized by strong effort or force in performance
3. Performing tasks with minimal exertion or low energy input

Etymology: "Nonintensive" is a straightforward formation: the prefix "non-", meaning "not", attached to "intensive". "Intensive" itself comes from the Latin "intensivus", a derivative of "intendere", "to stretch out" or "to direct toward", which gave English "intense" and, through the sense of concentrated effort, the idea of work that demands a great deal of input. Adding "non-" creates a term for activity that does not require that concentrated effort. The prefix is productive in English and is attached freely to adjectives and nouns in technical and everyday contexts, so the word's sense follows directly from its parts: an operation or process that is not intensive in its demands. It is most often found in fields such as agriculture, computing and industry, where "intensive" is a standard contrast term, for example in discussions of labour-intensive versus nonintensive methods.

Synonyms: mild, gentle, relaxed, minimal, moderate

Antonyms: intensive, concentrated, strong, severe, extreme