I. ˈtəch verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French tucher, tuchier, from Vulgar Latin * toccare to knock, strike a bell, touch, probably of imitative origin
Date: 14th century
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 touch es 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 touch ed 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
touch ed him for ten dollars
8. : to cause to be briefly in contact or conjunction with something
touch ed her spurs to the horse
touch ed his hand to his hat
9.
a.
(1) : to meet without overlapping or penetrating : adjoin
(2) : to get to : reach
the speedometer needle touch ed 80
b. : to be tangent to
c. : to rival in quality or value
nothing can touch that cloth for durability
10. : to speak or tell of especially in passing
barely touch ed the incident in the speech
11.
a. : to relate to : concern
b. : to have an influence on : affect
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 touch ed by frost
c. : to give a delicate tint, line, or expression to
a smile touch ed her lips
d. : to get a hit off or score a run against
touch ed 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
touch ed at several ports
b. : to treat a topic in a brief or casual manner — used with on or upon
touch ed upon many points
Synonyms: see affect
• touch·able ˈtə-chə-bəl adjective
• touch·er noun
•
- touch base
II. noun
Date: 14th century
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 touch es 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