Tangent

['tæn(d)ʒ(ə)nt] or ['tændʒənt]

Definition

(noun.) ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle.

(noun.) a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point.

Checker: Maryann--From WordNet

Definition

(v. t.) A tangent line curve, or surface; specifically, that portion of the straight line tangent to a curve that is between the point of tangency and a given line, the given line being, for example, the axis of abscissas, or a radius of a circle produced. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.

(a.) Touching; touching at a single point

(a.) meeting a curve or surface at a point and having at that point the same direction as the curve or surface; -- said of a straight line, curve, or surface; as, a line tangent to a curve; a curve tangent to a surface; tangent surfaces.

Typed by Agatha

Definition

n. a line which touches a curve and which when produced does not cut it.—ns. Tan′gency Tan′gence state of being tangent: a contact or touching.—adj. Tangen′tial of or pertaining to a tangent: in the direction of a tangent.—n. Tangential′ity.—adv. Tangen′tially in the direction of a tangent.—Go off or Fly off at a tangent to break off suddenly into a different line of thought &c.

Checked by Curtis