touch-n; 11 Senses

Sense Number 1: light physical contact between things

Commentary: TOUCH[+event][+physical][+contact][+light]

Examples:
He longed for the touch of her hand.
The touch of cool night air against her face felt refreshing.
There had been only the slightest touch between the fenders of the cars.

Mappings:
PropBank: touch.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: a faculty of the senses

Commentary: TOUCH[+quality][+ability][+faculty][+sense][+tactile]

Examples:
The five senses are sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.
Nerve damage caused loss of the sense of touch in his hands.
The blind woman used touch and sound to navigate through the room.

Mappings:
PropBank: touch.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: a trace amount of something

Commentary: TOUCH[+quantity][+amount][+tiny]

Examples:
There is just a touch of cumin in the soup.
The tiny crocuses here and there added a touch of spring to the otherwise wintry landscape.
She detected a touch of envy in his voice.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3, 6

Sense Number 4: a distinguishing style

Commentary: TOUCH[+quality][+style][+distinguishing]

Examples:
The decor of the room clearly showed a woman's touch.
The entire dinner displayed the touch of a master chef.
The plot twist is one of the film's most inventive touches.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 5: light pushing on a device

Commentary: TOUCH[+event][+physical][+contact][+push][+of_device]

Examples:
With one touch of a button, he turned all the lights on in the room.
You can manipulate images on the screen at the touch of a key.
The pianist is known for his heavy touch at the keyboard.

Mappings:
PropBank: touch.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 6: an act of communication

Commentary: TOUCH[+event][+communication][+of_information]

Examples:
Mary manages to stay in touch with her college roommate.
The planetary rover has been out of touch with mission control for six hours.
I've lost touch with the developments in that field. (not getting information)
The candidate is out of touch with the political mainstream. (metaphoric extension, not informed, not listening)

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 7

Sense Number 7: a mild illness

Commentary: TOUCH[+state][+physiological][+illness][+mild]

Examples:
John is home with a touch of flu.
The baby has a touch of fever.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 8

Sense Number 8: a tactile sensation

Commentary: TOUCH[+event][+physical][+sensation][+tactile]

Examples:
She loved the touch of velvet against her skin.
He felt the rough touch of the sand paper.
The table was smooth to the touch.

Mappings:
PropBank: touch.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 10

Sense Number 9: skill, ability

Commentary: TOUCH[+quality][+ability][+skill]

Examples:
Jane has a special touch with horses.
John said he's lost his touch as a casanova.
You have to have a certain touch to arrange flowers beautifully.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 11

Sense Number 10: the mechanical responsiveness of an instrument

Commentary: TOUCH[+quality][+trait][+responsiveness][+mechanical][+of_instrument]

Examples:
The keys of this old piano have a rather heavy touch.
This violin has a very delicate touch.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 12

Sense Number 11: solicitation for money

Commentary: TOUCH[+event][+solicitation][+for_money]
NOTE: archaic usage

Examples:
They tolerated the rich bore only because he was good for a touch now and then.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 9