haptic

American  

[hap-tik] / ˈhæp tɪk /

adjective

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.

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noun

1. Digital Technology. Usually haptics

   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.

haptic British  

/ ˈhæptɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or based on the sense of touch

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Etymology

Origin of haptic

First recorded in 1860–70; from Greek haptikós “able to grasp or perceive,” equivalent to háp(tein) “to grasp, sense, perceive” + -tikos adjective suffix ( see -tic)

Explanation

Anything that's haptic has to do with the sense of touch. When you feel your phone vibrate in your pocket, you're getting a haptic signal that your friend just texted you. Haptic is a technical term, and it's most often used to talk about new technology. Virtual reality games are much more "real" when haptic sensations are involved — in other words, when you can actually feel cool air around you or shifting ground under your feet, rather than simply seeing the virtual environment with your eyes. The word comes from a Greek root, haptikos, "able to come into contact with."

Example Sentences

Powerhouse isn’t the only group dedicated to energy-positive construction; Haptic Architects and the Nordic Office of Architecture are planning an energy-positive airport city for Oslo.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2018

Haptic technology, Wheatcroft believes, can steer a visually impaired person without overloading their senses.

From The Verge • Nov. 6, 2017

Many and cool are the devices on offer: a “Novel Vibrotactile Feedback Assisted Mid Air Writing device”; a “New Wearable Fingertip Haptic Interface for the Rendering of Virtual Shapes and Surface Features.”

From The New Yorker • May 16, 2016

Haptic sensors read human touch, and haptic feedback devices, like rumble packs on smartphones vibrate to notify users about updates from programs.

From US News • Mar. 9, 2015

This one is called Haptic House and it was designed by Dexter Moren.

From Children's BBC • Nov. 11, 2013