The Collaborative International Dictionary
Thigmotaxis
Thigmotaxis \Thig`mo*tax"is\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? touch + ? an arranging.] (Physiol.) The property possessed by living protoplasm of contracting, and thus moving, when touched by a solid or fluid substance.
Note: When the movement is away from the touching body, it is negative thigmotaxis; when towards it, positive thigmotaxis.
Wiktionary
thigmotaxis
n. (context biology English) The movement of an organism either towards or away from the stimulus of physical contact.
Usage examples of "thigmotaxis".
There is also thigmotaxis, a response to touch, rheotaxis, a response to water currents, and a number of others.