tangent

Meaning

Noun

1. A straight line touching a curve at a single point without crossing it there.
2. A function of an angle that gives the ratio of the sine to the cosine, in either the real or complex numbers. Symbols: tan, tg.
3. A topic nearly unrelated to the main topic, but having a point in common with it.
4. A visual interaction between two or more lines or edges that creates a perceived relationship between them, often in a way that the artist did not intend.
5. A small metal blade in a clavichord that strikes the strings to produce sound.

Adj

1. Touching a curve at a single point but not crossing it at that point.
2. Of a topic, only loosely related to a main topic.
3. Straight; not horizontally curved.

Synonyms

tan

tangent line

neighbouring

digression

juxtaposed

neighbour

osculatory

tangential

touch

touching

osculation point

access

continguous

contact

straight-across-cut

departure

detour

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtæn.d͡ʒənt/

Etymology

Cognate with Old English: þaccian

In summary

Borrowed from Latin tangentem, the accusative of tangēns (“touching”) (in the phrase līnea tangēns (“a touching line”)), the present participle of the verb tangō (“touch”, verb), from Proto-Italic *tangō, from Proto-Indo-European *teh₂g- (“to touch”).
Cognate with Old English þaccian (“to touch lightly, pat, stroke”). More at thack, thwack.