tan•gentˈtæn dʒənt(n.)

1. a line or plane that touches but does not intersect a curve or surface at a point so that it is closer to the curve or surface in the vicinity of the point than any other line or plane drawn through the point.

   Category: Math

2. a fundamental trigonometric function that, in a right triangle, is expressed as the ratio of the side opposite an acute angle to the side adjacent to that angle.

   Category: Math

   Ref: Also called tan 1 2 .

3. (adj.)in immediate physical contact; touching; abutting.

4. 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.

   Category: Math

5. Category: Common Vocabulary

   Ref: tangential (def. 3). 3

Idioms for tangent:

1. off on or at a tangent,digressing suddenly from one course of action or thought and turning to another.

   Category: Idiom

Origin of tangent:

1585–90; < L tangent-, s. of tangēns, in phrase līnea tangēns touching line; see -ent

tan′gen•cy-dʒən si(n.)