tactilely

Tactilely is an adverb that describes something done, perceived, or experienced through the sense of touch. It is used to indicate that information or interaction is accessible by touch rather than by sight or hearing, and it is common in discussions of textures, haptic feedback, or tactile perception.

Etymology and form: The term derives from the adjective tactile, which itself comes from Latin tactilis meaning "of touching," via French tactile. The English form tactilely adds the suffix -ly to create an adverb, a construction that is relatively rare in everyday language but encountered in technical or descriptive writing.

Usage: In sensory science, psychology, accessibility design, and art, tactilely describes how something is encountered through touch. For example, a researcher might note that a texture can be distinguished tactilely by fingertip exploration, or a design might be described as providing information tactilely to users with visual impairments. In practice, more common alternatives include by touch or haptically, with tactilely reserved for contexts emphasizing the tactile mode of perception.

Limitations: The adverb tactilely is not widely used in everyday language and can sound formal or technical outside specialized writing. When clarity is the priority, speakers and writers often opt for phrases such as “by touch,” “tactilely,” or “tactile feedback” depending on the context.

See also: tactile, haptic, tactile graphics, somatosensory perception.