noncontact
|non-con-tact|
🇺🇸
/ˈnɑnˌkɑn.tækt/
🇬🇧
/ˈnɒnˌkɒn.tækt/
without physical touch
Etymology
'noncontact' is a modern compound formed from the negative prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not') + 'contact' (from Latin 'contactus', from 'contingere'/'contingere' components 'con-' + 'tangere', meaning 'to touch').
'contact' entered English via Middle French/Medieval Latin (Medieval Latin 'contactus') from Latin 'contingere' (to touch); the productive English prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non') has long been used to form negating compounds, leading to modern formations like 'noncontact' or 'non-contact'.
Initially the elements meant 'not' (for 'non-') and 'to touch' or 'touching' (for 'contact'); together as 'noncontact' the compound has come to mean 'without physical touching' and is used descriptively for activities, events, or states that avoid physical contact.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or condition of not making physical contact; also used to refer to a sport or activity that does not allow physical contact.
Many martial arts include both contact and noncontact forms for training.
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Adjective 1
not involving physical contact; carried out without touching (used of activities, sports, procedures, or interactions).
The instructor led noncontact drills to practice positioning and footwork.
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Last updated: 2025/12/27 12:10