touch
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1touch
verb \ˈtəch\Definition of TOUCH
transitive verb
1
: to bring a bodily part into contact with especially so as to perceive through the tactile sense : handle or feel gently usually with the intent to understand or appreciate <loved to touch the soft silk>
2
: to strike or push lightly especially with the hand or foot or an implement
3
: to lay hands upon (one afflicted with scrofula) with intent to heal
4
archaic a : to play on (a stringed instrument) b : to perform (a melody) by playing or singing
5
a : to take into the hands or mouth <never touches alcohol> b : to put hands upon in any way or degree <don't touch anything before the police come>; especially : to commit violence upon <swears he never touched the child>
6
: to deal with : become involved with <a sticky situation and I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole>
7
: to induce to give or lend <touched him for ten dollars>
8
: to cause to be briefly in contact or conjunction with something <touched her spurs to the horse> <touched his hand to his hat>
9
10
: to speak or tell of especially in passing <barely touched the incident in the speech>
12
a : to leave a mark or impression on <few reagents will touch gold>; also : tinge b : to harm slightly by or as if by contact : taint, blemish <fruit touched by frost> c : to give a delicate tint, line, or expression to <a smile touched her lips> d : to get a hit off or score a run against <touched him for three runs>
13
: to draw or delineate with light strokes
14
a : to hurt the feelings of : wound b : to move to sympathetic feeling
intransitive verb
1
a : to feel something with a body part (as the hand or foot) b : to lay hand or finger on a person to cure disease (as scrofula)
2
: to be in contact
3
: to come close : verge <your actions touch on treason>
4
: to have a bearing : relate —used with on or upon
5
a : to make a brief or incidental stop on shore during a trip by water <touched at several ports> b : to treat a topic in a brief or casual manner —used with on or upon <touched upon many points>
— touch·able \ˈtə-chə-bəl\ adjective
— touch·er noun
— touch base
: to come in contact or communication <coming in from the cold to touch base with civilization — Carla Hunt>
See Examples of TOUCH
- Please do not touch the statue.
- Slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes.
- He tried to touch the snake with a stick.
- The top of the Christmas tree almost touches the ceiling.
- Sparks flew when the wires touched each other.
- They were standing side-by-side with their shoulders touching.
- Sparks flew when the wires touched.
- Their house burned to the ground, but the house next door wasn't touched by the fire.
Origin of TOUCH
Middle English, from Anglo-French tucher, tuchier, from Vulgar Latin *toccare to knock, strike a bell, touch, probably of imitative origin
First Known Use: 14th century
2touch
nounDefinition of TOUCH
1
a : a light stroke, tap, or push b : a hit against an opponent in fencing
2
: the act or fact of touching; also : the act or an instance of handling or controlling a ball (as in basketball or soccer)
3
: the special sense by which pressure or traction exerted on the skin or mucous membrane is perceived
4
: mental or moral sensitiveness, responsiveness, or tact <has a wonderful touch with children>
5
: a specified sensation that arises in response to stimulation of the tactile receptors : feel <the velvety touch of velour>
6
a archaic : the act of rubbing gold or silver on a touchstone to test its quality b : test, trial —used chiefly in the phrase put to the touch
8
: something slight of its kind: as a : a light attack <a touch of fever> b : a small quantity or indication : hint <a touch of spring in the air> c : a transient emotion <a momentary touch of compunction> d : a near approach : close call <beaten in the championships by a mere touch>
9
a archaic : the playing of an instrument (as a lute or piano) with the fingers; also : musical notes or strains so produced b : particular action of a keyboard with reference to the resistance of its keys to pressure <piano with a stiff touch>
10
: control of the hands: as a : a manner or method of touching or striking especially the keys of a keyboard instrument b : ability to precisely control the path and speed of a shot or pass <a great shooting touch>
11
: a set of changes in change ringing that is less than a peal
12
a : an effective and subtle detail <applies the finishing touches to the story> b : distinctive and often effective manner or method <the touch of a master> c : a characteristic or distinguishing trait or quality
13
slang : an act of soliciting or getting a gift or loan
14
: the state or fact of being in contact or communication or of having awareness <lost touch with her cousin> <let's keep in touch> <out of touch with modern times>
15
: the area outside of the touchlines in soccer or outside of and including the touchlines in rugby <the ball went into touch>
Examples of TOUCH
- Blind since birth, she relies on her sense of touch to read braille.
- The plate was hot to the touch.
First Known Use of TOUCH
14th century
Related to TOUCH
- Synonyms
- communication, contact, hold
Learn More About TOUCH
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Previous Word in the Dictionary: toucanet
All Words Near: touch
Previous Word in the Dictionary: toucanet
All Words Near: touch
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