haptic

adjective

hap·​tic ˈhap-tik How to pronounce haptic (audio)
1
: relating to or based on the sense of touch
2
: characterized by a predilection for the sense of touch
a haptic person

Did you know?

Haptic felt its way into English in the 19th century as a back-formation of haptics, a noun which was borrowed from the New Latin hapticē (meaning "science of touch," and derived ultimately from the Greek haptesthai, meaning "to touch") in the 1700s. Haptic was originally a medical synonym for tactile. By the 20th century, it had developed a psychological sense, describing individuals whose perception supposedly depended primarily on touch rather than sight. Although almost no one today divides humans into haptic and visual personalities, English retains the broadened psychological sense of haptic as well as the older "tactile" sense.

Examples of haptic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Inside, the dual touch screens emit a command center feeling and with satisfying haptic feedback. Kyle Edward, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 The Apple Watch uses a combination of sensors, algorithms, and haptic feedback to detect and respond to your gestures. Kurt Knutsson, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2023 Haptic Feedback Experience haptic feedback via the DualSense wireless controller in select PS5® titles and feel the effects and impact of your in-game actions through dynamic sensory feedback. Rudie Obias, Variety, 10 Nov. 2023 In this trial, a lab member navigated through a neighborhood by scooter using haptic signals transmitted through their sleeves. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Sep. 2023 The subtle haptic rumble effects in the PS5’s DualSense controller, for instance, provide a convincing simulation of everything from crawling through mud to massive explosions. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 17 Oct. 2023 The inside is home to a humongous internal 16K-resolution screen, with haptic, audio and temperature features meant to be targeted to each member of the audience during live performances. Rebecca Heilweil, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023 Such circuits can be integrated directly into wearable textiles, making the haptic solution less bulky and also more intuitive for the user. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Sep. 2023 Large avalanches have a distinctive signature, a cross between roaring wind and a sense of vibration that’s terrifyingly haptic. Dan Schilling, Outside Online, 17 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'haptic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from haptics

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of haptic was in 1860

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Dictionary Entries Near haptic

Cite this Entry

“Haptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haptic. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

haptic

adjective
hap·​tic ˈhap-tik How to pronounce haptic (audio)
variants also haptical
1
: relating to or based on the sense of touch
the haptic mode of perceptionColin Gordon
2
: characterized by a predilection for the sense of touch
a haptic person
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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