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Glite Dictionary
stereognosis

stereognosis

9.9
Being able to recognize objects by touch without looking
  • noun
  • /ˌstɛrɪɡˈnoʊsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estereognosis
  • Stereognosis allows blindfolded individuals to identify common objects, like a key or a coin, by touch alone.

Examples

  • During the exam, patients were asked to demonstrate their stereognosis by naming the objects placed in their hands without looking.

  • Stereognosis is an important skill for people who are visually impaired, helping them navigate their environment using their sense of touch.

  • Stereognosis is the term used for the tactile recognition of objects, and it can be quantitatively assessed by two-point discrimination testing.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The various modalities that have been used to assess sensation in other parts of the body (the hand in particular) are pain, touch, temperature, stereognosis, proprioception, and vibration.

    Academic text (2003)

Surface Forms

stereognosis singular
stereognoses plural

Morphology

stereognosis = stereo + gnosis (opaque) = stereo + gnosis

Both elements are technical Greek combining forms and are rare in everyday English, so learners will not readily infer 'recognition of objects by touch' from them.

Etymology

Stereognosis comes from Greek parts stereo- meaning 'solid' and -gnosis meaning 'knowledge'. So, it literally means 'knowing a solid', which helps you remember it is the ability to recognize an object by touch without looking.