Tachygrapher Ta·chyg"ra·pher noun [ Greek ... a fast writer.] One who writes shorthand; a stenographer; esp., an ancient Greek or Roman notary.

Tachygraphic, Tachygraphical Tach`y·graph"ic, Tach`y·graph"ic·al adjective [ Confer French tachygraphique .] Of or pertaining to tachygraphy; written in shorthand.

Tachygraphy Ta·chyg"ra·phy noun [ Greek tachy`s quick + -graphy : confer French tachygraphie .] The art or practice of rapid writing; shorthand writing; stenography. I. Taylor (The Alphabet).

Tachylyte Tach"y·lyte noun [ Greek tachy`s quick + ... to dissolve.] (Min.) A vitreous form of basalt; -- so called because decomposable by acids and readily fusible.

Tachymeter Ta·chym"e·ter noun [ Tachy- + -meter .] 1. (Surveying) An instrument, esp. a transit or theodolite with stadia wires, for determining quickly the distances, bearings, and elevations of distant objects.

2. A speed indicator; a tachometer.

Tachymetry Ta·chym"e·try noun The science or use of the tachymeter. -- Ta`chy*met"ric adjective

Tachyscope Tach"y·scope noun [ Greek ... quick + -scope .] An early form of antimated-picture machine, devised in 1889 by Otto Anschütz of Berlin, in which the chronophotographs were mounted upon the periphery of a rotating wheel.

Tacit Tac"it adjective [ Latin tacitus , past participle of tacere to be silent, to pass over in silence; akin to Goth. þahan to be silent, Icelandic þegja , Old High German dagēn : confer French tacite . Confer Reticent .] Done or made in silence; implied, but not expressed; silent; as, tacit consent is consent by silence, or by not interposing an objection. -- Tac"it*ly , adverb

The tacit and secret theft of abusing our brother in civil contracts.

Jer. Taylor.

Taciturn Tac"i·turn adjective [ Latin taciturnus : confer French taciturne . See Tacit .] Habitually silent; not given to converse; not apt to talk or speak. -- Tac"i*turn*ly , adverb

Syn. -- Silent; reserved. Taciturn , Silent . Silent has reference to the act; taciturn , to the habit. A man may be silent from circumstances; he is taciturn from disposition. The loquacious man is at times silent ; one who is taciturn may now and then make an effort at conversation.

Taciturnity Tac`i·tur"ni·ty noun [ Latin taciturnitas : confer French taciturnité .] Habilual silence, or reserve in speaking.

The cause of Addison's taciturnity was a natural diffidence in the company of strangers.

V. Knox.

The taciturnity and the short answers which gave so much offense.

Macaulay.

Tack Tack noun [ From an old or dialectal form of French tache . See Techy .] 1. A stain; a tache. [ Obsolete]

2. [ Confer Latin tactus .] A peculiar flavor or taint; as, a musty tack . [ Obsolete or Colloq.] Drayton.

Tack Tack noun [ Middle English tak , takke , a fastening; akin to Dutch tak a branch, twig, German zacke a twig, prong, spike, Danish takke a tack, spike; confer also Swedish tagg prickle, point, Icelandic tāg a willow twig, Ir. taca a peg, nail, fastening, Gael. tacaid , Armor. & Corn. tach ; perhaps akin to English take . Confer Attach , Attack , Detach , Tag an end, Zigzag .] 1. A small, short, sharp-pointed nail, usually having a broad, flat head.

2. That which is attached; a supplement; an appendix. See Tack , transitive verb , 3. Macaulay.

Some tacks had been made to money bills in King Charles's time.

Bp. Burnet.

3. (Nautical) (a) A rope used to hold in place the foremost lower corners of the courses when the vessel is closehauled (see Illust. of Ship ); also, a rope employed to pull the lower corner of a studding sail to the boom. (b) The part of a sail to which the tack is usually fastened; the foremost lower corner of fore-and-aft sails, as of schooners (see Illust. of Sail ). (c) The direction of a vessel in regard to the trim of her sails; as, the starboard tack , or port tack ; -- the former when she is closehauled with the wind on her starboard side; hence, the run of a vessel on one tack; also, a change of direction.

4. (Scots Law) A contract by which the use of a thing is set, or let, for hire; a lease. Burrill.

5. Confidence; reliance. [ Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Tack of a flag (Nautical) , a line spliced into the eye at the foot of the hoist for securing the flag to the halyards. -- Tack pins (Nautical) , belaying pins; -- also called jack pins . -- To haul the tacks aboard (Nautical) , to set the courses. -- To hold tack , to last or hold out. Milton.

Tack Tack transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Tacked ; present participle & verbal noun Tacking .] [ Confer OD. tacken to touch, take, seize, fix, akin to English take . See Tack a small nail.] 1. To fasten or attach. "In hopes of getting some commendam tacked to their sees." Swift.

And tacks the center to the sphere.

Herbert.

2. Especially, to attach or secure in a slight or hasty manner, as by stitching or nailing; as, to tack together the sheets of a book; to tack one piece of cloth to another; to tack on a board or shingle; to tack one piece of metal to another by drops of solder.

3. In parliamentary usage, to add (a supplement) to a bill; to append; -- often with on or to . Macaulay.

4. (Nautical) To change the direction of (a vessel) when sailing closehauled, by putting the helm alee and shifting the tacks and sails so that she will proceed to windward nearly at right angles to her former course.

» In tacking, a vessel is brought to point at first directly to windward, and then so that the wind will blow against the other side.

Tack Tack intransitive verb (Nautical) To change the direction of a vessel by shifting the position of the helm and sails; also (as said of a vessel), to have her direction changed through the shifting of the helm and sails. See Tack , transitive verb , 4.

Monk, . . . when he wanted his ship to tack to larboard, moved the mirth of his crew by calling out, "Wheel to the left."

Macaulay.

Tacker Tack"er noun One who tacks.

Tacket Tack"et noun [ Dim. of tack a small nail.] A small, broad-headed nail. [ Scot.] Jamieson.

Tackey Tack"ey adjective & noun See Tacky .

Tacking Tack"ing noun (Law) A union of securities given at different times, all of which must be redeemed before an intermediate purchaser can interpose his claim. Bouvier.

» The doctrine of tacking is not recognized in American law. Kent.

Tackle Tac"kle (?; sometimes improperly pronounced ?, especially by seamen) noun [ Middle English takel , akin to LG. & Dutch takel , Danish takkel , Swedish tackel ; perhaps akin to English taw , v.t., or to take .] 1. Apparatus for raising or lowering heavy weights, consisting of a rope and pulley blocks; sometimes, the rope and attachments, as distinct from the block.

2. Any instruments of action; an apparatus by which an object is moved or operated; gear; as, fishing tackle , hunting tackle ; formerly, specifically, weapons. "She to her tackle fell." Hudibras.

» In Chaucer, it denotes usually an arrow or arrows.

3. (Nautical) The rigging and apparatus of a ship; also, any purchase where more than one block is used.

Fall and tackle . See the Note under Pulley . -- Fishing tackle . See under Fishing , adjective -- Ground tackle (Nautical) , anchors, cables, etc. -- Gun tackle , the apparatus or appliances for hauling cannon in or out. -- Tackle fall , the rope, or rather the end of the rope, of a tackle, to which the power is applied. -- Tack tackle (Nautical) , a small tackle to pull down the tacks of the principal sails. -- Tackle board , Tackle post (Ropemaking) , a board, frame, or post, at the end of a ropewalk, for supporting the spindels, or whirls, for twisting the yarns.

Tackle Tac"kle transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Tackled ; present participle & verbal noun Tackling .] [ Confer LG. takeln to equip. See Tackle , noun ] 1. To supply with tackle. Beau. & Fl.

2. To fasten or attach, as with a tackle; to harness; as, to tackle a horse into a coach or wagon. [ Colloq.]

3. To seize; to lay hold of; to grapple; as, a wrestler tackles his antagonist; a dog tackles the game.

The greatest poetess of our day has wasted her time and strength in tackling windmills under conditions the most fitted to insure her defeat.

Dublin Univ. Mag.

Tackled Tac"kled adjective Made of ropes tacked together.

My man shall be with thee,
And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair.

Shak.

Tackling Tac"kling noun (Nautical) 1. Furniture of the masts and yards of a vessel, as cordage, sails, etc.

2. Instruments of action; as, fishing tackling . Walton.

3. The straps and fixures adjusted to an animal, by which he draws a carriage, or the like; harness.

Tacksman Tacks"man noun ; plural Tacksmen (Scots Law) One who holds a tack or lease from another; a tenant, or lessee. Sir W. Scott.

The tacksmen , who formed what may be called the "peerage" of the little community, must be the captains.

Macaulay.

Tacky Tack"y adjective [ Confer Techy , Tack a spot.] Sticky; adhesive; raw; -- said of paint, varnish, etc., when not well dried. [ U. S.]

Tacky Tack"y adjective [ Etymol. uncert.] Dowdy, shabby, or neglected in appearance; unkempt. [ Local, U. S.]

Tacky Tack"y noun [ Written also tackey .] An ill-conditioned, ill-fed, or neglected horse; also, a person in a like condition. [ Southern U. S.]

Taconic Ta·con"ic adjective (Geol.) Designating, or pertaining to, the series of rocks forming the Taconic mountains in Western New England. They were once supposed to be older than the Cambrian, but later proved to belong to the Lower Silurian and Cambrian.

Tact Tact noun [ Latin tactus a touching, touch, from tangere , tactum , to touch: confer French 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.

Tactable Tac"ta·ble adjective Capable of being touched; tangible. [ R.] "They [ women] being created to be both tractable and tactable ." Massinger.

Tactful Tact"ful adjective Full of tact; characterized by a discerning sense of what is right, proper, or judicious.

Tactic Tac"tic noun See Tactics .

Tactic, Tactical Tac"tic, Tac"tic·al adjective [ Greek .... See tactics .] Of or pertaining to the art of military and naval tactics. -- Tac"tic*al*ly , adverb

Tactical Tac"tic·al adjective [ Greek .... See Tactics .] Of or pert. to military or naval tactics; hence, pert. to, or characterized by, planning or maneuvering.

Tactician Tac·ti"cian noun [ Confer French tacticien .] One versed in tactics; hence, a skillful maneuverer; an adroit manager.

Tactics Tac"tics noun [ Greek ..., plural, and ... (sc. ..., sing., from ... fit for ordering or arranging, from ..., ..., to put in order, to arrange: confer French tactique .] 1. The science and art of disposing military and naval forces in order for battle, and performing military and naval evolutions. It is divided into grand tactics , or the tactics of battles, and elementary tactics , or the tactics of instruction.

2. Hence, any system or method of procedure.

Tactile Tac"tile adjective [ Latin tactilis , from tangere , tactum , to touch: confer French tactile .] Of or pertaining to the organs, or the sense, of touch; perceiving, or perceptible, by the touch; capable of being touched; as, tactile corpuscles; tactile sensations. " Tactile sweets." Beaumont. " Tactile qualities." Sir M. Hale.

Tactile sense (Physiol.) , the sense of touch, or pressure sense. See Touch .

The delicacy of the tactile sense varies on different parts of the skin; it is geatest on the forehead, temples and back of the forearm.

H. N. Martin.

Tactility Tac·til"i·ty noun [ Confer French tactilité .] The quality or state of being tactile; perceptibility by touch; tangibleness.

Taction Tac"tion noun [ Latin tactio , from tangere , tactum , to touch.] The act of touching; touch; contact; tangency. "External taction ." Chesterfield.

Tactless Tact"less adjective Destitute of tact.

Tactual Tac"tu·al adjective [ See Tact .] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to the sense, or the organs, of touch; derived from touch.

In the lowest organisms we have a kind of tactual sense diffused over the entire body.

Tyndall.

Tadpole Tad"pole` noun [ Middle English tadde toad (AS. tādie , tādige ) + poll ; properly, a toad that is or seems all head. See Toad , and Poll .] 1. (Zoology) The young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this stage it breathes by means of external or internal gills, is at first destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail. Called also polliwig , polliwog , porwiggle , or purwiggy .

2. (Zoology) The hooded merganser. [ Local, U. S.]

Tadpole fish . (Zoology) See Forkbeard (a) .

Tael Tael noun [ Malay ta...l , a certain weight, probably from Hind. tola , Sanskrit tulā a balance, weight, tul to weigh.] A denomination of money, in China, worth nearly six shillings sterling, or about a dollar and forty cents; also, a weight of one ounce and a third. [ Written also tale .]

Taen, Ta'en Taen, Ta'en past participle of Ta , to take, or a contraction of Taken . [ Poetic & Scot.] Burns.

Tafferer Taf"fer·er noun (Nautical) See Taffrail .

Taffeta, Taffety Taf"fe·ta, Taf"fe·ty noun [ French taffetas , Italian taffetà , from Persian tāftah , originally, twisted, woven, from tāftan to twist, to spin.] A fine, smooth stuff of silk, having usually the wavy luster called watering . The term has also been applied to different kinds of silk goods, from the 16th century to modern times.

Lined with taffeta and with sendal.

Chaucer.

Taffrail Taff"rail noun [ Dutch tafereel a panel, picture, from tafel table, from Latin tabula . See Table .] (Nautical) The upper part of a ship's stern, which is flat like a table on the top, and sometimes ornamented with carved work; the rail around a ship's stern. [ Written also tafferel .]

Taffy Taf"fy noun [ Prov. English taffy toffy.] 1. A kind of candy made of molasses or brown sugar boiled down and poured out in shallow pans. [ Written also, in England, toffy .]

2. Flattery; soft phrases. [ Slang]

Tafia Taf"i·a noun [ Confer F. & Spanish tafia , Italian taffia ; from Malay tāfīa a spirit distilled from molasses. Confer Ratafia .] A variety of rum. [ West Indies]

Tag Tag noun [ Probably akin to tack a small nail; confer Swedish tagg a prickle, point, tooth.] 1. Any slight appendage, as to an article of dress; something slight hanging loosely; specifically, a direction card, or label.

2. A metallic binding, tube, or point, at the end of a string, or lace, to stiffen it.

3. The end, or catchword, of an actor's speech; cue.

4. Something mean and paltry; the rabble. [ Obsolete]

Tag and rag , the lowest sort; the rabble. Holinshed.

5. A sheep of the first year. [ Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Tag Tag transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Tagged ; present participle & verbal noun Tagging .] 1. To fit with, or as with, a tag or tags.

He learned to make long- tagged thread laces.

Macaulay.

His courteous host . . .
Tags every sentence with some fawning word.

Dryden.

2. To join; to fasten; to attach. Bolingbroke.

3. To follow closely after; esp., to follow and touch in the game of tag. See Tag , a play.

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