tactless
/ˈtæktləs/
adjective
Origin
Latin
tactus — a sense of touch
Overview
Meaning Now
- Having or showing a lack of adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
Literal older meaning
without tactile sense or touch
Language path
Latin → French → English
Earliest form
tactless
Earliest period
19th century
Journey
The word 'tact' entered English from French, derived from the Latin 'tactus' (touch). By the 18th century, it took on the figurative meaning of having a keen sense of what to say or do to maintain good relations. 'Tactless' emerged later, in the 19th century, to describe the absence of this social perception.
Evolution
- Latin
tactus
“touch, sense of touch”
- French
tact
“sense of touch, skill in handling”
borrowed into English in the 17th century
- English
tactless
“lacking sensitivity”
formation of adjective + -less
Connections
Word parts
tact
root
a sense of touch or judgment
less
suffix
without
Related across languages
French
tact
tact
Italian
tatto
sense of touch
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Related to tactless
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.