Tact (?), n. [L. tactus a touching,
touch, fr. tangere, tactum, to touch: cf. F. tact. See
Tangent.] 1. The sense of touch;
feeling.
Did you suppose that I could not make myself sensible to
tact as well as sight?
Southey.
Now, sight is a very refined tact.
J.
Le Conte.
2. (Mus.) 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.
He had formed plans not inferior in grandeur and boldness to
those of Richelieu, and had carried them into effect with a tact and
wariness worthy of Mazarin.
Macaulay.
A tact which surpassed the tact of her sex as
much as the tact of her sex surpassed the tact of
ours.
Macaulay.