tac|tics

tac|tics «TAK tihks», noun.

1. the art or science of directing military or naval forces in battle; science of disposition and maneuver.

2. a method or process of doing this.

3. the operations themselves: »

The tactics of pretending to cross the river and of making a retreat fooled the enemy. Tactics are used to win an engagement, strategy to win a campaign or a war (Bulletin of Atomic Scientists).

4. Figurative. procedures to gain advantages or success; methods: »

When coaxing failed, she changed her tactics and began to cry. To some the obvious answer was to fight fire with fire, to reply in kind if [they] resorted to bully-boy tactics (Newsweek).

╂[plural of tactic < New Latin tactica < Greek taktik (téchnē) (art of) arrangement, ultimately < tássein arrange]

Usage Tactics, meaning the science, is plural in form and singular in use: »

Tactics differs from strategy, which refers to the overall plans of a nation at war.

Otherwise, it is plural in form and use: »

The general's tactics were successful. His tactics in winning the class election were hardly ethical.

See strategy for another usage note. (Cf. ↑strategy)