tactic

• tactick (obsolete)

Borrowed from New Latin tactica, from Ancient Greek τακτικός (taktikós, “fit for ordering”), from τάσσω (tássō, “to order, to arrange”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈtæktɪk/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -æktɪk

tactic (plural tactics)

1. A maneuver, or action calculated to achieve some end.

   Synonyms: scheme, stratagem, plan, maneuver, course of action

   Coordinate term: strategy

   • 2019 September 10, Jonathan Guyer, The American Prospect‎, number Fall 2019:

     Omar has challenged Elliott Abrams’s record in Latin America, taken a firm line against Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, and advocated for—wait for it—the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine (even though the headlines have focused on her expressing support for the right to boycott as a tactic).

2. (military) A maneuver used against an enemy.
3. (chess) A sequence of moves that limits the opponent's options and results in an immediate and tangible advantage, typically in the form of material.

tactic (not comparable)

1. (dated, military) Tactical; of or relating to the art of military and naval tactics.

   Synonym: tactical

   • 1831, Thomas Campbell, The Power of Russia:

     But time will teach the Russ, ev'n conquering War
     Has handmaid arts: aye, aye, the Russ will woo
     All sciences that speed Bellona's car,
     All murder's tactic arts, and win them too […]

2. (chemistry) Describing a polymer whose repeat units are identical

• intertactic

• tic tac, tic-tac

Borrowed from French tactique.

tactic m or n (feminine singular tactică, masculine plural tactici, feminine and neuter plural tactice)

1. tactical