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Definitions for Tangent

[1] in immediate physical contact; touching.
[2] Geometry . touching at a single point, as a tangent in relation to a curve or surface. in contact along a single line or element, as a plane with a cylinder.
[3] tangential(def 3) .
[4] Geometry . a line or a plane that touches a curve or a surface at a point so that it is closer to the curve in the vicinity of the point than any other line or plane drawn through the point.
[5] Trigonometry . (in a right triangle) the ratio of the side opposite a given angle to the side adjacent to the angle. Also called tan. (of an angle) a trigonometric function equal to the ratio of the ordinate of the end point of the arc to the abscissa of this end point, the origin being at the center of the circle on which the arc lies and the initial point of the arc being on the x-axis. Abbreviation : tg, tgn (originally) a straight line perpendicular to the radius of a circle at one end of an arc and extending from this point to the produced radius which cuts off the arc at its other end.
[6] the upright metal blade, fastened on the inner end of a clavichord key, that rises and strikes the string when the outer end of the key is depressed.
[7] off on /at a tangent , digressing suddenly from one course of action or thought and turning to another: The speaker flew off on a tangent.
[8] a geometric line, curve, plane, or curved surface that touches another curve or surface at one point but does not intersect it
[9] (of an angle) a trigonometric function that in a right-angled triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to that of the adjacent side; the ratio of sine to cosine Abbreviation: tan
[10] the straight part on a survey line between curves
[11] music a part of the action of a clavichord consisting of a small piece of metal that strikes the string to produce a note
[12] on a tangent or at a tangent on a completely different or divergent course, esp of thought to go off at a tangent
[13] of or involving a tangent touching at a single point
[14] touching
[15] almost irrelevant

Words related to Tangent

contiguous, tangential

Words nearby Tangent

tangata tiriti, tangata whenua, tange, tangelo, tangency, tangent, tangent galvanometer, tangent line, tangent plane, tangential, tangential motion

Origin of Tangent

1585–90; < Latin tangent- (stem of tangēns, present participle of tangere to touch) in phrase līnea tangēns touching line; see -ent

Words that may be confused with Tangent

circumference, diameter, radius, tangent

Other words from Tangent

qua·si-tan·gent , adjective

Word origin for Tangent

C16: from Latin phrase līnea tangēns the touching line, from tangere to touch

Synonyms for Tangent

contiguous, tangential