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Tactical vs Cunning - What's the difference?

tactical | cunning |

As adjectives the difference between tactical and cunning

is that tactical is of, or relating to tactics while cunning is sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.

As a noun cunning is

knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).

tactical

English

Adjective

(-)
  • of, or relating to tactics
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=June 2 , author= Phil McNulty , title=England 1-0 Belgium , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=As in the 1-0 win against Norway in Oslo, this was an England performance built on the foundations of solid defence and tactical discipline.}}
  • of, or relating to military operations that are smaller or more local than strategic ones
  • adroit, skilful or ingenious
  • (firearms) having a military appearance, typically with accessories such as a bipod, adjustable stock, detachable magazine or black coloration

    • Derived terms

    * tactically * tactical aeromedical evacuation * tactical air command center * tactical air commander * tactical air control center * tactical air control party * tactical air coordinator * tactical air direction center * tactical airfield fuel dispensing system * tactical air groups * tactical air officer * tactical air operation * tactical air operations center * tactical air reconnaissance * tactical air support * tactical air support element * tactical air transport operations * tactical assembly area * tactical call sign * tactical combat force * tactical concept * tactical control * tactical deception group * tactical digital information link * tactical diversion * tactical event system * tactical exploitation of national capabilities * tactical information processing and interpretation system * tactical intelligence * tactical intelligence and related activities * tactical level of war * tactical loading * tactical locality * tactical-logistical group * tactical map * tactical minefield * tactical mining * tactical nuclear weapon employment * tactical obstacles * tactical operations center * tactical range * tactical reserve * tactical security * tactical sub-concept * tactical transport aircraft * tactical troops * tactical unit * tactical vehicle * tactical warning * tactical warning and assessment * tactical warning and attack assessment

    cunning

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) cunning, kunning, konnyng, alteration of earlier (etyl) cunninde, kunnende, cunnand, from (etyl) cunnende, present participle of . More at (l), (l).

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
  • * South
    • They are resolved to be cunning ; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
  • (obsolete) Skillful, artful.
  • * Bible, Genesis xxv. 27
    • Esau was a cunning hunter.
  • * Bible, Exodus xxxviii. 23
    • a cunning workman
  • * Shakespeare
    • ''Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white / Nature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
  • (obsolete) Wrought with, or exibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
    • cunning work
  • * Spenser
    • Over them Arachne high did lift / Her cunning web.
  • (US, colloquial, rare) Cute, appealing.
    • a cunning little boy
    (Bartlett)
    Synonyms
    * See also

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) cunning, kunnyng, partially from (etyl) *.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
  • Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
  • * 2005 , .
    • indeed at this very moment he's slipped away with the utmost cunning into a form that's most perplexing to investigate.
  • Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit.
  • The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
  • The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
    • the cunning of the fox or hare
    Synonyms
    * (l) * (l) * (l)