tensory

Tensory is a neologism used to describe sensory experiences related to tension, strain, or pressure as perceived through touch, proprioception, or mechanoreception. It is not an established scientific category, but appears in design criticism, phenomenology discussions, and some speculative texts to capture how materials and bodies communicate force and constraint.

Etymology: The term combines tens- from tension with -ory, forming an adjective/noun akin to sensory terms. It has no formal standard definition and is used variably by authors.

Scope and applications: Tensory is typically described as qualitative rather than quantitative, focusing on the felt sense of stiffness, stretch, grip, or resistance. In haptic technology and material studies, tensory cues may be simulated by texture, stiffness, and feedback. In philosophy or phenomenology, it serves as a shorthand to discuss the felt presence of force in perception.

Distinctions and limitations: Because tensory lacks a universal definition, its interpretation depends on context. It is not a widely recognized sensory modality in mainstream neuroscience. It is often used to discuss how surface design, material properties, and contextual cues influence perceived tension or constraint.

See also: proprioception, kinesthesia, mechanoreception, haptics, material science, perceptual phenomenology.

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