tangent
tan·gent / ˈtanjənt/ • n. 1. a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point, but if extended does not cross it at that point. ∎ fig. a completely different line of thought or action: she went off on a tangent about how she and her husband had driven past a department store window.2. Math. the trigonometric function that is equal to the ratio of the sides (other than the hypotenuse) opposite and adjacent to an angle in a right triangle.• adj. (of a line or plane) touching, but not intersecting, a curve or curved surface.DERIVATIVES: tan·gen·cy / -jənsē/ n.
tangent
tangent (from Lat. tangere, to touch). Part of clavichord, a small metal ‘tongue’, which touches a str. when key is struck and produces sound. Remains in contact with str. while note sounds.
tangent
tangent (geom.) adj. touching at a point XVI; sb. XVI. — L. tangēns, -ent-, prp. of tangere touch. See -ENT.
Hence tangential XVII.
Hence tangential XVII.
tangent
tangent In trigonometry, ratio of the length of the side opposite an acute angle to the length of the side adjacent to it within a right-angle triangle.
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