touch

[[t]tʌtʃ[/t]]

v. t.

1) phl to put the hand, finger, etc., on or into contact with (something) so as to feel it

2) to bring (the hand, finger, etc., or something held) into contact with something:

She touched a match to the papers[/ex]

3) to pat or tap as with the hand or an instrument

4) cv geo to come into contact with

5) math. (of a line or surface) to be tangent to

6) to attain equality with; compare with (usu. with a negative):

a style that can't touch that of Shakespeare[/ex]

7) to mark slightly with a brush, pencil, or a color

8) to treat or affect in some way by contact

9) to move to tenderness or sympathy

10) to handle, use, or have to do with (usu. with a negative):

She can't touch the money until she's 21[/ex]

11) to eat or drink; consume (usu. with a negative):

He won't touch another drink[/ex]

12) to lay hands on, often in a violent manner

13) to deal with or allude to in speech or writing

14) to pertain or relate to

15) to be a matter of importance to; affect

16) sts Slang. to apply to for money, or succeed in getting money from:

He touched me for a loan[/ex]

17) archaic

a) to strike the strings, keys, etc., of (a musical instrument) so as to cause it to sound

b) to play or perform (an air, notes, etc.) on a musical instrument

18) to place the hand, finger, etc., on or in contact with something

19) to come into or be in contact

20) phv touch down, (of an aircraft or spacecraft) to land

21) phv touch off

a) to cause to ignite or explode

b) to start or initiate

22) phv touch on or upon

to mention (a subject) briefly or casually

23) phv touch up

a) to make minor changes or improvements in the appearance of

b) to rouse by or as if by striking

24) the act of touching; state or fact of being touched

25) phl that sense by which anything material is perceived by means of physical contact

26) the quality of something touched that imparts a sensation; feel

27) a coming into or being in contact

28) ability, skill, or dexterity; knack:

to lose one's touch[/ex]

29) spo (in fencing) the contact of the point of a foil or épée or the point or edge of the blade of a saber with a specified portion of the opponent's body, counting one point for the scorer

30) relationship or close communication:

Let's keep in touch[/ex]

31) a slight stroke or blow

32) a slight attack, as of illness or disease

33) a slight added action or effort in completing any piece of work:

finishing touches[/ex]

34) manner of execution in artistic work

35) mad the act or manner of touching or fingering a keyboard instrument

36) the mode of action of the keys of an instrument, as of a piano or typewriter

37) a slight amount of some quality, attribute, etc

38) a slight quantity or degree:

a touch of salt[/ex]

39) sts Slang.

a) the act of approaching someone for money as a gift or a loan

b) the obtaining of money in this manner

c) the money obtained

d) a person considered from the standpoint of the relative ease with which he or she will lend money

40) spo

a) the area outside the touchlines in soccer

b) either of the touchlines or the area outside them in Rugby

•

Etymology: 1250–1300; ME to(u) chen < OF tochier < VL *toccāre to knock, strike, touch, of expressive orig. touch′er, n.