tactical English · revision 10727

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1570|origins=grc τακτικός}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtæk.tɪ.kəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from Greek [[der|grc|τακτικός|tr=taktikós|t=fit for arranging]] (see [[tactic]]) and [[-al]],^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) or from Modern Latin tactica (see [[tactics]]).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of military or naval tactics: 1570 in the OED and Merriam-Webster, the 1560s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Relating to the construction of a sentence is a rare sense of 1698.^(OED 1989) Of arrangement or procedure is from 1876,^(OED 1989) and of a person, skilful and adroit in managing things, from 1883.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Aircraft and bombing in direct support of ground forces are tactical from 1916,^(OED 1989) and short-range nuclear weapons, as opposed to strategic ones, by 1957.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Tactical voting'', voting to defeat a disliked candidate, is a modern political use.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1570 – of military tactics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1876 – of procedure.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1883 – skilful, adroit.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1916 – tactical aircraft.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1957 – tactical nuclear weapons.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or relating to [[tactics]], especially military ones.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of weapons or attacks, used in limited operations near the battle area: ''a tactical missile''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Planned to gain an advantage; skilful: ''a tactical decision''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tactically]]

+ * [[nontactical]]

+ * [[tactical unit]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tactic]]

+ * [[tactics]]

+ * [[syntax]]

+ * [[taxonomy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}