thigmotaxis

Thig`mo*tax"is, n. [NL., fr. Gr. touch + an arranging.] (Physiol.) Defn: The property possessed by living protoplasm of contracting, and thus moving, when touched by a solid or fluid substance. When the movement is away from the touching body, it is negative thigmotaxis; when towards it, positive thigmotaxis.

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