thigmotaxis

noun

thig·​mo·​tax·​is ˌthig-mə-ˈtak-səs 

: a taxis in which contact especially with a solid body is the directive factor

Examples of thigmotaxis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The instinct to do so is known as thigmotaxis: the tendency to move toward physical contact—in this case, not only with other stinkbugs but with almost any surface. —Steven Strogatz, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2011

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from German Thigmotaxis, from thigmo- (in Thigmotropismus thigmotropism) + -taxis -taxis

First Known Use

circa 1900, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

thigmotaxis

noun

thig·​mo·​tax·​is ˌthig-mə-ˈtak-səs 

: a taxis in which contact especially with a solid or rigid surface is the stimulus directing the movement of an organism

Medical Definition

thigmotaxis

noun

thig·​mo·​tax·​is ˌthig-mə-ˈtak-səs 

plural thigmotaxes -ˌsēz 

: a taxis in which contact especially with a solid body is the directive factor