tangent (noun)
1tangent — ► NOUN 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. 2) Mathematics the trigonometric function that is equal to the ratio of the sides (other than the hypotenuse)… …
2tangent galvanometer — noun : a galvanometer consisting of a very small magnetic needle in the center of a large vertical circular coil of wire through which electric current is passed and whose plane is in the magnetic meridian with the intensity of the current being… …
3tangent plane — noun the plane that contains all the lines tangent to a specific point on a surface • Hypernyms: ↑plane, ↑sheet * * * noun : the plane through a point of a surface that contains the tangent lines to all the curves on the surface through the same… …
4tangent plane — noun Given a point P on a surface M, the tangent plane of M at point P, denoted by T(M), is the plane passing through P which contains the tangent lines of all the curves on M passing through P …
5tangent — noun (C) 1 go/fly off at a tangent informal to suddenly start thinking or talking about a completely new and different subject: It s impossible to have a logical discussion with Rob because he keeps going off at a tangent. 2 technical a straight… …
6tangent plane — noun Date: 1856 the plane through a point of a surface that contains the tangent lines to all the curves on the surface through the same point …
7tangent — (adj.) 1590s, meeting at a point without intersecting, from L. tangentem (nom. tangens), prp. of tangere to touch, from PIE root *tag to touch, to handle (Cf. L. tactus touch, Gk. tetagon having seized, O.E. þaccian stroke, strike gently ). First …
8tangent arc — noun : a halo that touches a circular halo …
9tangent line — noun Etymology: translation of New Latin linea tangens : a line at a fixed point P of a curve that is the limit approached by the secant PQ as Q approaches P along the curve …
10tangent screw — noun 1. : a worm that works tangentially on a worm wheel to which it imparts an endless motion 2. : a very fine screw giving a tangential movement for making the final adjustment to an instrument of precision (as a surveyor s transit) …
