Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
adjective
- of, relating to, or engaged in diplomacy: diplomatic officials.
- skilled in dealing with sensitive matters or people; tactful.
- of or relating to diplomatics.
adjective
- of or relating to diplomacy or diplomats
- skilled in negotiating, esp between states or people
- tactful in dealing with people
- of or relating to diplomatics
1711, “pertaining to documents, texts, charters,” from Medieval Latin diplomaticus, from diplomat-, stem of diploma (see diploma).
Meaning “pertaining to international relations” is recorded from 1787, apparently a sense evolved in 18c. from the use of diplomaticus in Modern Latin titles of collections of international treaties, etc., in which the word referred to the “texts” but came to be felt as meaning “pertaining to international relations.” In the general sense of “tactful and adroit,” it dates from 1826. Related: Diplomatically.