la touche

Definition & meaning

The word touche (feminine noun) has several meanings depending on the context:

1. Key/Button: Refers to a physical or digital button on a device, such as a piano key, a typewriter key, or a key on a computer keyboard.
2. Touch/Stroke: Refers to a stroke of a brush (in painting) or a subtle addition to something, such as a "touch of color" or a "touch of elegance."
3. Throw-in: In sports like football (soccer) or rugby, it refers to the act of putting the ball back into play when it has crossed the sideline.
4. Fencing: Refers to a hit or a point scored by touching the opponent with the tip of the weapon.

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is a feminine noun. It is also the conjugated form of the verb {toucher} ↗ for the first and third person singular in the present indicative and subjunctive (je touche, il/elle touche).
• Origin: It derives from the Old French word tuchier, which originates from the Frankish tukkôn, meaning to strike or to pull.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• For a button/key: {bouton} ↗
• For a physical touch/stroke: {trait} ↗, {contact} ↗
• For a sports throw-in: {remise en jeu} ↗

Antonyms:

• There are no direct antonyms for the noun form, as it represents specific objects or actions. However, in the context of "contact," the antonym could be considered {éloignement} ↗ (distance/separation).