Having or showing skill in dealing with others diplomatically and sensitively. Able to avoid giving offense through careful consideration of words and actions.
From 'tact' (from Latin tactus meaning 'touch,' from tangere 'to touch') plus the suffix -ful. The metaphorical sense developed from the idea of having a delicate 'touch' in social situations, first recorded in the 18th century.
The word 'tactful' literally means 'full of touch,' connecting social sensitivity to physical gentleness. This metaphor appears worldwide - many languages describe diplomatic skill in terms of soft or careful touching, suggesting universal human understanding of social delicacy.
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