Are spells considered attack of subduing foes rather than killing?

@JeremyECrawford are touch range spells considered melee attacks for purpose of subduing foes rather than killing?

— sehmerus (@sehmerus) September 9, 2015

No. https://t.co/tJ1QPjIJOc

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) September 9, 2015

@JeremyECrawford @sehmerus does this include melee-attack spells or just non-melee-attack spells with range of touch?

— Trevor Holland (@imnotasnowflake) September 9, 2015

A melee attack—even one in a spell—can knock out a creature (PH, 198). A range of touch doesn't mean melee attack. https://t.co/puDFkBOxKz

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) September 9, 2015

@undrhil @sehmeruswhat is an example of a “touch range’ spell? An example would be any spell with a range of touch, such as cure wounds.

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) September 9, 2015