go off at a tangent
11tangent — ► 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)… …
12tangent — /tan jeuhnt/, adj. 1. in immediate physical contact; touching. 2. Geom. a. touching at a single point, as a tangent in relation to a curve or surface. b. in contact along a single line or element, as a plane with a cylinder. 3. tangential (def.… …
13tangent — I adj. tangent to (tangent to a circle) II n. digression to go off at, go off on a tangent * * * [ tændʒ(ə)nt] go off on a tangent [ digression ] to go off at tangent to (tangent to a circle) …
14tangent — I. adjective Etymology: Latin tangent , tangens, present participle of tangere to touch; perhaps akin to Old English thaccian to touch gently, stroke Date: 1594 1. a. meeting a curve or surface in a single point if a sufficiently small interval… …
15tangent — tan|gent [ˈtændʒənt] n [Date: 1500 1600; : Latin; Origin: , present participle of tangere; TANGIBLE] 1.) go off at a tangent BrE go off on a tangent AmE informal to suddenly start thinking or talking about a subject that is only slightly related …
16tangent — [[t]tæ̱nʤ(ə)nt[/t]] tangents 1) N COUNT A tangent is a line that touches the edge of a curve or circle at one point, but does not cross it. 2) PHRASE: V and N inflect If someone goes off at a tangent, they start saying or doing something that is… …
17tangent — n. & adj. n. 1 a straight line, curve, or surface that meets another curve or curved surface at a point, but if extended does not intersect it at that point. 2 the ratio of the sides opposite and adjacent to an angle in a right angled triangle.… …
18tangent — 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… …
19tangent — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. divergence, deviation. adj. touching (see contact). II (Roget s IV) modif. Syn. touching, tangential, in contact; see contiguous . • go off on a tangent, Syn. swerve, get off course, get off the… …
20off — /awf, of/, adv. 1. so as to be no longer supported or attached: This button is about to come off. 2. so as to be no longer covering or enclosing: to take a hat off; to take the wrapping off. 3. away from a place: to run off; to look off toward… …
