tangent

¹tan·gent

adj \ˈtan-jənt\

Definition of TANGENT

1

a : meeting a curve or surface in a single point if a sufficiently small interval is considered <straight line tangent to a curve> b (1) : having a common tangent line at a point <tangent curves> (2) : having a common tangent plane at a point <tangent surfaces>

2

: diverging from an original purpose or course : irrelevant <tangent remarks>

Origin of TANGENT

Latin tangent-, tangens, present participle of tangere to touch; perhaps akin to Old English thaccian to touch gently, stroke

First Known Use: 1594

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with TANGENT

plangent