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Tacit Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tacit

[ˈtæsɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

agreement

Understood or implied without being stated openly.

Synonyms

implicit, implied, unspoken.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tacit

Used to describe something understood or agreed upon without being stated aloud. Often used in social or professional situations to describe an unspoken understanding.

  • There was a tacit agreement among the team members to support each other.
  • His nod was a tacit signal that he agreed.
implicit

Refers to something suggested or understood without being directly expressed. Often used in formal or written communication.

  • The rules were implicit in the instructions given.
  • Her silence was taken as implicit consent.
implied

Indicates something that is indicated or suggested without being directly stated. Commonly used in everyday conversation and informal writing.

  • His tone of voice implied that he was not happy with the decision.
  • The contract had implied terms about delivery time.
unspoken

Describes something that is understood or agreed upon without being verbalized. Frequently used in personal relationships and informal scenarios.

  • There was an unspoken rule in the family about not discussing financial matters at the dinner table.
  • They had an unspoken understanding that they would always look out for each other.

Examples of usage

  • He gave his tacit approval for the project to proceed.
  • The agreement was reached through tacit understanding.
Context #2 | Noun

law

An agreement or understanding that is implied by the actions or silence of the parties involved.

Synonyms

Implicit agreement, Unspoken understanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tacit

Use 'tacit' when you want to describe something that is understood or implied without being stated directly.

  • Their tacit approval was enough to move forward with the project.
  • There was a tacit agreement between the two companies.
Implicit agreement

Use 'implicit agreement' to describe an agreement that is not directly stated but assumed to exist based on actions or circumstances.

  • There was an implicit agreement that they would help each other in times of need.
  • The implicit agreement among the team members was evident.
Unspoken understanding

Use 'unspoken understanding' in situations where the understanding is mutual but not verbally expressed.

  • They had an unspoken understanding about their roles in the project.
  • With just a look, they shared an unspoken understanding.

Examples of usage

  • The court inferred a tacit agreement between the two parties.
  • The tacit understanding of the contract terms was evident in their behavior.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Humans often communicate tacitly through body language, suggesting that much of our understanding happens non-verbally.
  • Studies in psychology indicate that a significant portion of our daily interactions involve tacit agreements and understandings.
  • Tacit knowledge, which is knowing how to do things without writing them down, plays a crucial role in skill learning.

Literature

  • In literature, characters may share tacit understandings that add depth to their relationships without overt dialogue.
  • Writers often create tension through unspoken, tacit conflicts among characters, making the reader guess at underlying motives.
  • The use of tacit agreements in narratives can reflect real-world relationships, enhancing relatability.

Education

  • In teaching, educators often rely on tacit rules that students understand without formal explanations, like classroom etiquette.
  • Group work in classrooms frequently involves tacit collaboration, where students share ideas without directly stating them.
  • Recognizing tacit knowledge helps in developing educational strategies that leverage what people inherently understand.

Sociology

  • Sociologists explore how tacit norms within cultures influence behavior, shaping what is considered acceptable without being explicitly stated.
  • Social interactions often rely on tacit communication, which can vary significantly between different cultures.
  • The concept of 'tacit consent' plays a role in governance, where citizens may agree to laws without actively expressing dissent.

Origin of 'tacit'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'tacitus', meaning 'silent', and has been used in English since the late 19th century.
  • Originally used in legal contexts, it described agreements or actions that were implied rather than spoken.
  • The transition from Latin to English reflects how language evolves with the culture and legal practices.

The word 'tacit' originated from the Latin word 'tacitus', meaning 'silent' or 'unspoken'. It first entered the English language in the early 17th century. Over time, 'tacit' has come to represent the concept of something understood or implied without being directly expressed. The term is commonly used in legal contexts to refer to agreements or understandings that are inferred from actions or silence.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,976, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.