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tactics

 - 6 dictionary results

tac⋅tics

[tak-tiks]
–noun
1. (usually used with a singular verb) the art or science of disposing military or naval forces for battle and maneuvering them in battle.
2. (used with a plural verb) the maneuvers themselves.
3. (used with a singular verb) any mode of procedure for gaining advantage or success.
4. (usually used with a singular verb) Linguistics.
a. the patterns in which the elements of a given level or stratum in a language may combine to form larger constructions.
b. the study and description of such patterns.

Origin:
1620–30; see tactic, -ics


1. See strategy.

tac⋅tic

[tak-tik]
–noun
1. tactics (def. 1).
2. a system or a detail of tactics.
3. a plan, procedure, or expedient for promoting a desired end or result.
–adjective
4. of or pertaining to arrangement or order; tactical.

Origin:
1560–70; NL tacticus < Gk taktikós fit for arranging or ordering, equiv. to tak- (base of tássein (Attic táttein) to arrange, put in order) + -tikos -tic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tac·tic   (tāk'tĭk)   
n.  An expedient for achieving a goal; a maneuver.

[French tactique, tactics, from Greek taktika; see tactics.]
tac·tics   (tāk'tĭks)   
n.  
    1. (used with a sing. verb) The military science that deals with securing objectives set by strategy, especially the technique of deploying and directing troops, ships, and aircraft in effective maneuvers against an enemy: Tactics is a required course at all military academies.

    2. (used with a pl. verb) Maneuvers used against an enemy: Guerrilla tactics were employed during most of the war.

  1. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A procedure or set of maneuvers engaged in to achieve an end, an aim, or a goal.


[New Latin tactica, from Greek taktika, matters pertaining to arrangement, or from Greek taktikē (tekhnē), (art) of deploying forces in war, both from taktikos, of order, from taktos, arranged, from tassein, tag-, to arrange.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

tactics 
1626, from Mod.L. tactica (17c.), from Gk. taktike techne "art of arrangement," noun use of fem. of taktikos "of or pertaining to arrangement," especially "tactics in war," adj. to taxis "order," verbal noun of tassein "arrange," from PIE base *tag- "to set aright." Tactical is attested in Eng. from 1570; in ref. to nuclear weapons (opposed to strategic) it is recorded from 1957.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: tac·tic
Pronunciation: 'tak-tik
Function: adjective
1 : regular in structure of repeating units in a polymer
2 : of, relating to, or showing biological taxis
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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