All 3 Uses of
tact
in
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
- Kit stared, too aghast to realize her own tactlessness.†
p. 52.6 *tactlessness = to say or handle things in a needlessly offensive waystandard suffix: The suffix "-lessness" in tactlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness.
- With a startled glance up the road, John tactfully freed himself.†
p. 139.6tactfully = in a manner that makes others feel good
- Kit was too astonished to be tactful.†
p. 176.2tactful = to say or handle things in a way that makes others feel good about them
Definition:
the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them