Diplomacy, we hear, took a devious course (6)
I believe the answer is:
tacked
'took a devious course' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'diplomacy we hear' is the wordplay.
'diplomacy' becomes 'tact' (tact can mean diplomacy or sensitivity).
'we hear' shows a homophone (sound like).
'tact' sounds like 'TACKED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tacked that I've seen before include "Sailed zig-zag course to use wind" , "Sewed with loose temporary stitches" , "Sailed zigzag course to take advantage of wind" , "Changed course" , "Turned into the wind, as sailors do" .)