tact Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
tactfulness.

L. tactus a touching, touch, fr. tangere, tactum, to touch: cf. F. tact. See Tangent.

The sense of touch; feeling.
Did you suppose that I could not make myself sensible to tact as well as sight? Southey.

Now, sight is a very refined tact. J. Le Conte.
(Mus.) The stroke in beating time.
Sensitive mental touch; peculiar skill or faculty; nice perception or discernment; ready power of appreciating and doing what is required by circumstances.
He had formed plans not inferior in grandeur and boldness to those of Richelieu, and had carried them into effect with a tact and wariness worthy of Mazarin. Macaulay.

A tact which surpassed the tact of her sex as much as the tact of her sex surpassed the tact of ours. Macaulay.