I.to touch, handle, freq. in an unlawful manner (syn.: contrecto, tracto, tango, palpo).
I. Lit.: “Ne me attrecta,” Plaut. Pers. 2, 2, 45: “aliquem nimium familiariter attr ectare,” id. Rud. 2, 4, 6: “uxorem alicujus attrectare,” Cic. Cael. 8 fin.; Suet. Ner. 26 (cf. contrecto): “signum Junonis adtrecta re,” Liv. 5, 22: “patrios penates attrectare,” Verg. A. 2, 719: “feralia adtrectare,” Tac. A. 1, 62 fin.: “libros contaminatis manibus,” Cic. Har. Resp. 13: alienam rem, Sabin. Jus Civ. ap. Gell. 11, 16, 20: “si attrectaverit me pater,” Vulg. Gen. 27, 12.— To feel after, grope for (eccl. Lat.): “quasi absque oculis parietem attrectavimus,” Vulg. Isa. 59, 10.—
II. Trop.: Facilis est illa occursatio et blanditia popularis; aspicitur, non attrectatur; “procul apparet, non excutitur (the figure is derived from paintings or other works of art),” it is looked at, not touched, Cic. Planc. 12 Wund.—Also, to appropriate to one's self: “regias etiam adtrectamus gazas,” Liv. 34, 4, 2: “fasces securesque,” id. 28, 24: “indecorum, adtrectare quod non obtineret,” Tac. A. 3, 52.—To feel after, seek to find (eccl. Lat.): “quaerere Deum, si forte attrectent eum,” Vulg. Act. 17, 27.
