organoleptic

adjective

or·​gan·​o·​lep·​tic ˌȯr-gə-nō-ˈlep-tik How to pronounce organoleptic (audio)
ȯr-ˌga-nə-
1
: being, affecting, or relating to qualities (such as taste, color, odor, and feel) of a substance (such as a food or drug) that stimulate the sense organs
organoleptic research
2
: involving use of the sense organs
organoleptic evaluation of foods
organoleptically adverb

Did you know?

English speakers got an early taste of organoleptic in an 1852 translation of a French chemistry textbook. Its spelling is an Anglicization of the French word organoleptique, which derives from organ (same meaning as in English) and Greek lēptikos, meaning "disposed to take or accept." Lēptikos is also an ingredient in neuroleptic (a type of powerful tranquilizer). The parent of lēptikos—the verb lambanein, meaning "to take or seize"—contributed to the formation of several English words, including epilepsy and syllable.

Examples of organoleptic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The startup is not focused on the organoleptic experience (taste, smell, etc.) of its products, though. Nicole Kagan, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2023 Tulloch recognized Spence’s unique talents, most notably, an organoleptic one — giving her the ability to detect, identify, and differentiate between aromas. Bee Quammie, refinery29.com, 23 Mar. 2023 If the organoleptic hop transducer module sounds like something that screws into Doc Brown’s flux capacitor, there is an element of looking back in the future of Dogfish Head Miami. Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 12 May 2021 According to a 2014 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the higher antioxidant levels in organic produce might actually enhance its organoleptic qualities — a.k.a. Jessica Decostole, Redbook, 29 Nov. 2017

Word History

Etymology

French organoleptique, from organ- + Greek lēptikos disposed to take, from lambanein to take — more at latch

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of organoleptic was in 1852

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Dictionary Entries Near organoleptic

Cite this Entry

“Organoleptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organoleptic. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

organoleptic

adjective
or·​gan·​o·​lep·​tic ˌȯr-gə-nō-ˈlep-tik, ȯr-ˌgan-ə- How to pronounce organoleptic (audio)
1
: being, affecting, or relating to qualities (as taste, color, odor, and feel) of a substance (as a food or drug) that stimulate the sense organs
2
: involving use of the sense organs
organoleptic evaluation of foods
organoleptically adverb

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