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touch off verb 1 : to describe with precision

2 : to start by or as if by touching with fire

Synonyms

activate, actuate, crank, drive, move, propel, run, set off, spark, start, trigger, turn on—more at ACTIVATE

touch·stone noun : a test or criterion of genuineness or quality

Synonyms

criterion, grade, mark, measure, par, standard, yardstick—more at STANDARD

touch–tone adjective : of, relating to, or being a telephone having push buttons that produce tones corresponding to numbers

touch up verb : to improve or perfect by small additional strokes or alterations

— touch–up noun

touchy adjective touch·i·er; -est 1 : easily offended : PEEVISH

2 : calling for tact in treatment

Synonyms

catchy, delicate, difficult, knotty, problematic, spiny, thorny, ticklish, tough, tricky—more at TRICKY

1tough adjective 1 : strong or firm in texture but flexible and not brittle

2 : not easily chewed

3 : characterized by severity and determination

4 : capable of enduring strain or hardship

5 : hard to influence : STUBBORN

6 : difficult to accomplish, resolve, or cope with

7 : ROWDYISH

— tough·ly adverb

— tough·ness noun

Synonyms

[4] hard, hard-bitten, hardy, rugged, stout, strong, sturdy, vigorous—more at HARDY

[6] arduous, demanding, difficult, exacting, formidable, hard—more at HARD

[6] catchy, delicate, difficult, knotty, problematic, spiny, thorny, ticklish, touchy, tricky—more at TRICKY

2tough noun : a tough person : ROWDY

Synonyms

bully, gangster, goon, hood, hoodlum, mobster, mug, punk, rowdy, ruffian, thug—more at HOODLUM

tough·en verb tough·ened; tough·en·ing : to make or become tough

Synonyms

beef, fortify, harden, steel, strengthen—more at STRENGTHEN

fortify, harden, season, steel, strengthen—more at HARDEN

tou·pee noun [ORIGIN: F toupet forelock]

: a small wig for a bald spot

1tour noun 1 : one's turn

2 : a journey in which one returns to the starting point

Synonyms

hitch, stint, tenure, term—more at TERM

2tour verb : to make a tour

Synonyms

journey, travel, trek, voyage—more at TRAVEL

tour de force noun, plural tours de force [ORIGIN: F]

: a feat or display of strength, skill, or ingenuity

Tou·rette's syndrome noun : a familial neurological disorder marked by recurrent involuntary tics and vocal sounds

tour·ism noun 1 : the practice of traveling for recreation

2 : promotion of touring

3 : accommodation of tourists

tour·ist noun : one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture

Synonyms

excursionist, sightseer, traveler; also vacationer, vacationist; guest, visitor; transient; pilgrim, wayfarer

tourist class noun : economy accommodations (as on a ship)

tour·ma·line noun : a mineral that when transparent is valued as a gem

tour·na·ment noun 1 : a medieval sport in which mounted armored knights contended with blunted lances or swords

2 : a championship series of games or athletic contests

Synonyms

bout, competition, contest, event, game, match, meet—more at GAME

tour·ney noun, plural tourneys : a championship series of games or athletic contests : TOURNAMENT

tour·ni·quet noun : a device (as a tight bandage) to check bleeding or blood flow

tou·sle verb tou·sled; tou·sling : to disorder by rough handling : DISHEVEL

tout verb 1 : to give a tip or solicit bets on a racehorse

2 : to praise or publicize loudly

— tout noun

Synonyms

acclaim, applaud, cheer, crack up, hail, laud, praise, salute—more at ACCLAIM

ballyhoo, crack up, glorify, plug, promote, publicize, trumpet; also advance, advertise, announce, boost, herald, offer

1tow verb : to draw or pull along behind

Synonyms

drag, draw, hale, haul, lug, pull, tug—more at PULL

2tow noun 1 : an act of towing or condition of being towed

2 : something (as a barge) that is towed

3tow noun : short or broken fiber (as of flax or hemp) used esp. for yarn, twine, or stuffing

to·ward or to·wards preposition 1 : in the direction of

2 :