tact
(tăkt)
[French, from Old French, sense of touch, from Latin tāctus from past participle of tangere, to touch.]
noun
- Acute sensitivity to what is proper and appropriate in dealing with others, including the ability to speak or act without offending.
- Archaic The sense of touch.
synonyms:
tact, address, diplomacy, savoir-faire These nouns denote the ability to deal with others with skill, sensitivity, and finesse. Tact implies propriety and the ability to speak or act unoffensively: “He had . . . a tact that would preserve him from flagrant error in any society” (Francis Parkman) Address suggests deftness and grace in social situations: “With the charms of beauty she combined the address of an accomplished intriguer” (Charles Merivale) Diplomacy implies adroit management of difficult situations: Diffusing the confrontation required delicate diplomacy. Savoir-faire involves knowing the right or graceful thing to say or do: The hosts set the shy visitor at ease with their savoir-faire.
