a. [f. Gr. τακτικ-ός (see TACTIC a.1, sb.1) + -AL: see -ICAL. (This appears to be the earliest in use of the words of the group.)]
1. Of or pertaining to (military or naval) tactics.
Tactical point: a point or place of importance in the disposition of forces. Tactical unit: see quot. 1879.
1570. Dee, Math. Pref., a iv b. Stratarithmetrie … differreth from the Feate Tacticall, De aciebus instruendis, bycause, there, is necessary the wisedome and foresight, to what purpose he so ordreth the men: and Skillfull hability, also, for any occasion, or purpose, to deuise and vse the aptest and most necessary order, array and figure of his Company and Summe of men.
1706. Phillips, Tactical, belonging to Martial Array.
1777. W. Dalrymple, Trav. Sp. & Port., lvi. Military books had been bought up in all languages for the use of this tactical school.
1836. Fraser’s Mag., XIV. 453. We have actually seen them form a hollow square … with the most perfect tactical accuracy.
1879. Soldiering, in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 320/1. The largest number of men … to whom one man can issue personal orders … called in infantry the ‘tactical unit’ or unit of manœuvre.
1884. Mil. Engineering (ed. 3), I. II. 14. The first and second lines would be taken from the same tactical unit, each battalion having half a battalion in the front line.
2. Of or relating to arrangement, esp. the arrangement of procedure with a view to ends.
1876. Tait, Rec. Adv. Phys. Sc., xii. (ed. 2), 302. Each in the same tactical order.
1881. Nation (N. Y.), XXXII. 367. With an admirable temper and manners … he combines a good deal of tactical craft.
1893. Times, 26 April, 9/4. To arrive at an understanding upon tactical details.
b. Relating to the construction of a sentence. rare.
1698. [see TAGHMICAL].
3. Of a person, his actions, etc.: Characterized by skilful tactics; skilful in devising means to ends.
1883. Manch. Exam., 26 Nov., 5/3. The address of the French Ambassador was admirably tactical. Ibid. (1884), 20 May, 5/1. Those who knew M. Ferry as a practical and tactical statesman.
1899. Sir W. Lawson in Daily Chron., 7 Feb., 4/7. All that we want is … an able, an honest, a tactical leader.
4. Math. Of or pertaining to TACTIC (sense 3): opposed to LOGISTICAL.
1864. Cayley, Math. Papers, V. 293. A tactical operation is one relating to the arrangement in any manner of a set of things.
Hence Tactically adv., in a tactical manner; in reference to tactics.
1871. Standard, 23 Jan. The Prussians … seem to have out-manœuvred the French both strategically and tactically.
1890. W. Stebbing, Peterborough, ix. 176. The obstinately brave and tactically skilful but uninspired Huguenot [Earl of Galway].
