I. ˈtakt ə l, -kˌtīl, -k(ˌ)til adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French, from Latin tactilis, from tactus (past participle of tangere to touch) + -ilis -ile — more at tangent
1. : perceptible by the touch : capable of being felt or touched : tangible
tactile qualities
slide rule for sightless individuals employs tactile symbols — Scientific Monthly
2.
a. : of or relating to the sense of touch : tactual
tactile sensitivity
tactile sensuality
the tactile sensations he gets manipulating the controls — Herbert Mitgang
b. : having the sense of touch : used in touching
fingers tactile as antennae — Marcia Davenport
tactile organs
c. : affecting the sense of touch
tactile anesthesia
3. : depending on the sense of touch (as for orientation)
corals and sea anemones have an almost purely tactile contact with their environment
4. : appealing by synesthesia to the sense of touch
how extraordinarily tactile the verses are — Dudley Fitts
II. noun
( -s )
: one whose prevailing mental imagery is tactile rather than visual, auditory, or motor — compare audile , motile , visualizer