TACHE, tash, _n._ a spot, stain, or freckle: a moral blemish: a
characteristic. [Fr.]
TACHOMETER, t[=a]-kom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring variations
in the velocity of machines.--Also TACHYM'ETER. [Gr. _tachos_, speed,
_metron_, a measure.]
TACHYGRAPHY, t[=a]-kig'ra-fi, _n._ stenography, the art of writing in
abbreviations.--_n._ TACHYG'RAPHER.--_adjs._ TACHYGRAPN'IC, -AL. [Gr.
_tachys_, swift, _graphein_, to write.]
TACHYLITE, tak'i-l[=i]t, _n._ a black opaque natural glass, which results
from the rapid cooling of molten basalt, occurring as a thin selvage to
dikes and veins of intrusive basalt.--_adj._ TACHYLIT'IC.
TACHYMETER, t[=a]-kim'e-t[.e]r, _n._ a surveying instrument--also
TACHEOM'ETER.--_n._ TACHYM'ETRY, scientific use of the tachymeter.
TACIT, tas'it, _adj._ implied, but not expressed by words: silent, giving
no sound.--_adv._ TAC'ITLY.--_n._ TAC'ITNESS.--_adj._ TAC'ITURN, habitually
tacit or silent: not fond of talking: reserved in speech.--_ns._
TAC'ITURNIST, one habitually taciturn; TACITURN'ITY, habitual silence:
reserve in speaking.--_adv._ TAC'ITURNLY. [L. _tacitus_, pa.p. of
_tac[=e]re_, to be silent.]
TACK, tak, _n._ a short, sharp nail with a broad head: a fastening, a long
temporary stitch: the weather clew or foremost lower corner of any of the
courses, or of any sail set with a boom or gaff, or of a flag, also the
rope by which such clew or tack is confined or fastened: the course of a
ship in reference to the position of her sails: a determinate course, the
art of tacking, hence a change of policy, a strategical move: a shelf for
drying cheese: term of a lease: adhesiveness, sticky condition, as of
varnish, &c.--_v.t._ to attach or fasten, esp. in a slight manner, as by
tacks.--_v.i._ to change the course or tack of a ship by shifting the
position of the sails: to shift one's position, to veer.--_adj._ TACK'Y,
adhesive, viscous. [Most prob. Celt., Ir. _taca_, a pin, Bret. _tach_, a
nail.]
TACK, tak, _n._ (_prov._) any distinctive and permanent flavour.
TACK, tak, _n._ food generally, fare, esp. of the bread kind, as _hard
tack_, _soft tack_, &c.
TACKET, tak'et, _n._ (_Scot._) a hobnail in the soles of strong shoes.
TACKLE, tak'l, _n._ the ropes, rigging, &c. of a ship: tools, weapons:
ropes, &c., for raising heavy weights: a pulley.--_v.t._ to harness:
(_prov._) to seize or take hold of, attack, fasten upon.--_v.i._ to get a
hold of.--_adj._ TACK'LED, made of ropes tackled together.--_ns._
TACK'LING, furniture or apparatus belonging to the masts, yards, &c. of a
ship: harness for drawing a carriage: tackle or instruments; TACKS'MAN, a
tenant or lessee. [Scand., Sw. _tackel_--Ice. _taka_, to take.]
TACKY, tak'i, _n._ (_U.S._) a poor ill-conditioned horse.
TACT, takt, _n._ adroitness in managing the feelings of persons dealt with:
nice perception in seeing and doing exactly what is best in the
circumstances: (_mus._) the stroke in keeping time.--_adjs._ TACT'FUL;
TAC'TILE, that may be touched or felt.--_ns._ TACTIL'ITY, state of being
tactile: touchiness; TAC'TION, act of touching: sense of touch.--_adj._
TACT'LESS, without tact.--_n._ TACT'LESSNESS.--_adj._ TACT'[=U]AL, relating
to, or derived from, the sense of touch.--_adv._ TACT'[=U]ALLY.--_n._
TACT'US, the sense of touch. [L. _tactus_--_tang[)e]re_, _tactum_, to
touch.]
TACTICS, tak'tiks, _n.sing._ the science or art of manoeuvring military and
naval forces in the presence of the enemy: way or method of
proceeding.--_adjs._ TAC'TIC, -AL, pertaining to tactics.--_adv._
TAC'TICALLY.--_n._ TACTI'CIAN, one skilled in tactics. [Gr. _taktik[=e]_
(_techn[=e]_, art, understood), art of arranging men in a field of
battle--_tassein_, _taxein_, to arrange.]
TADPOLE, tad'p[=o]l, _n._ a young toad or frog in its first state, before
the tail is absorbed and the limbs pushed forth.--_n._ TAD (_U.S._), a
street-boy. [A _toad_ with a _poll_.]