touch

²touch

noun

Definition 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

7

a : a visible effect : mark <a touch of the tropical sun> b : weakness, defect

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>

— a touch

: somewhat, rather <aimed a touch too low and missed>

Examples of TOUCH

1. Blind since birth, she relies on her sense of touch to read braille.
2. The plate was hot to the touch.

First Known Use of TOUCH

14th century

Related to TOUCH

Synonyms: communication, contact, hold

Related Words: commerce, communion, intercommunication, intercourse

Near Antonyms: abundance, barrel, boatload, bucket, bundle, bushel, deal, fistful, gobs, heaps, lashings (also lashins) [chiefly British], loads, lot, mass, mess, mountain, much, oodles, passel, peck, pile, plenty, potful, profusion, quantity, raft, reams, scads, stack, wad, wealth; volume; bonanza, embarrassment, excess, overabundance, overage, overflow, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus; chunk, hunk, lump, slab

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