tactical

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtaktɪk(ə)l/

adjective

  • 1relating to or constituting actions carefully planned to gain a specific military end: as a tactical officer in the field he had no equal
  • (of bombing or weapons) done or for use in immediate support of military or naval operations: NATO already has about 7,000 tactical nuclear weapons in EuropeOften contrasted with strategic.
  • 2showing adroit planning; aiming at an end beyond the immediate action: in a tactical retreat, she moved into a hotel with her daughters
  • 3British (of voting) aimed at preventing the strongest candidate from winning by supporting the next strongest, without regard to one’s true political allegiance: Labour supporters in the city organized a tactical voting campaign

Derivatives

tactically

adverb

Origin:

late 16th century (in the sense 'relating to military or naval tactics'): from Greek taktikos (see tactic) + -al