tact n : consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offence [syn: tactfulness] [ant: tactlessness]

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ækt

Noun

1. The sense of touch; feeling.
2. The stroke in beating time.
3. Sensitive mental touch; peculiar skill or faculty; nice perception or discernment; ready power of appreciating and doing what is required by circumstances.

Derived terms

• tactful
• tactless

Translations

• French: tact

Disambiguation:

=Psychology/Linguistics=

see Tact (psychology)

Tact is a term that B.F. Skinner used to describe a verbal operant in which a response of given form is evoked (or at least strengthened) by a particular object or event or property of an object or event (1957). The tact is verbal contact with the physical world.

=Moral(?)=

see Tact(moral)

Tact is a careful consideration of one's current situation and surroundings, and acting accordingly.

For example, with respect to interpersonal relationships, tact is a careful consideration of the feelings and values of another so as to create harmonious relationships with a reduced potential for conflict or offense.

Tact is a form of interpersonal diplomacy. Tact is the ability to induce change or communicate hurtful information without offending through the use of consideration, compassion, kindness, and reason.

For example, choosing an appropriate joke to entertain a small audience requires tact. Contrarily, a tactless joke is likely to make an audience angry or uncomfortable.

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