A substitution to Physicians calling humans "Vegetables" when they are in a coma or unresponsive and saying that they are in a "Vegetative State". Humans are animals and not plants.
The patient has been in a sub-animated state for several weeks. He/she is sub-animate or a sub-animate. The term replaces the uncouth statement that he/she is a vegetable. He or she is in a vegetative state.
by Robert Laity June 30, 2017