n. [ from the jackboots worn as part of the uniform of police in certain totalitarian countries. ] Harsh strongarm tactics; repressive, bullying and militaristic tactics like those used in authoritarian or totalitarian countries; -- used opprobriously, and often in hyperbolic exaggeration of police tactics in democratic countries. [ PJC ]

a. (Gram.) Of pertaining to, or characterized by, parataxis. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to phyllotaxy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. protaktiko`s placing or placed before, fr. prota`ssein to place in front; pro` before + ta`ssein to arrange. ] Giving a previous narrative or explanation, as of the plot or personages of a play; introductory. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. G. &unr_; putting together. See Syntax. ] Of or pertaining to syntax; according to the rules of syntax, or construction. -- Syn*tac"tic*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. See Tactics. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Gr. taktiko`s. See tactics. ] Of or pertaining to military or naval tactics; hence, pertaining to, or characterized by, planning or maneuvering for the short term; -- contrasted with strategic, planning for the long term.
-- Tac"tic*al*ly, adv. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

n. [ Cf. F. tacticien. ] One versed in tactics; hence, a skillful maneuverer; an adroit manager. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. taktika` pl., and taktikh` (sc. te`chnh, sing., fr. taktiko`s fit for ordering or arranging, fr. ta`ssein, ta`ttein, to put in order, to arrange: cf. F. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, any system or method of procedure. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Physiol.) Of or retaining to thermotaxis. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to thigmotaxis. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]