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 What is Guided Frame on Google Pixel? Guided Frame uses AI and facial recognition to generate audio cues along with high-contrast animations and haptic feedback to assist those who are blind or have low-vision with taking photos. USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2024 There’s also a major lack of haptic feedback, whether in the headset, in controllers or via a watch or other wearable. Anshel Sag, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 As for haptic feedback, using the same piezoelectric transducers that generate sound to generate haptic feedback eliminates the need for separate driver electronics and a motor to shake the display. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2024 At its core, the Charge 6 is a lot like the last-gen Charge 5, save for a new haptic button on the side and a handful of software updates. Brandon Widder, The Verge, 14 Nov. 2023 The vape pen also has haptic feedback, which vibrates upon reaching optimal temperature. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2024 Jonathan Gitlin Nissan has gone for a minimalist look in the Ariya's cabin, opting for haptic controls embedded into the textured wooden plank that runs the length of the dashboard. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2023 Combined with the power of the PS5 and the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback, the story has never felt more immersive. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Jan. 2024 Once inside the cockpit, traditionalists will still cringe at the haptic Engine Start button at the bottom of the steering wheel. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2023

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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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