haptics

noun (used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of psychology that investigates sensory data and sensation derived from the sense of touch and localized on the skin.
2. Digital Technology. the study or use of tactile sensations and the sense of touch as a method of interacting with computers and electronic devices: Haptics allows you to feel and manipulate digitized objects in a virtual 3D environment.

adjective Sometimes hap·ti·cal.

1. of or relating to the sense of touch: the haptic sensation of holding a real book in your hands.
2. Digital Technology. of or relating to tactile sensations and the sense of touch as a method of interacting with computers and electronic devices: smartphones that incorporate haptic feedback; haptic technology.

noun

3. Usually haptics. Digital Technology.
   1. a vibration or other tactile sensation received from a computer or electronic device: You can save power by adjusting the haptics and brightness of your phone.
   2. an input or output device that senses the body’s movements by means of physical contact with the user: joysticks and other haptics.

adjective

1. relating to or based on the sense of touch

n.

1895, from haptic; see -ics.

adj.

“pertaining to the sense of touch,” 1890, from Greek haptikos “able to come into contact with,” from haptein “to fasten.”

n.

1. The science that deals with the sense of touch.

adj.

1. Of or relating to the sense of touch; tactile.