go off at a tangent
21off — [[t]ɔf, ɒf[/t]] adv. 1) so as to be no longer supported or attached: This button is about to come off[/ex] 2) so as to be no longer covering or enclosing: Pull the wrapping off[/ex] 3) away from a place: to run off; to look off toward the… …
22tangent — 1. noun /ˈtæn.dʒənt/ a) A straight line touching a curve at a single point without crossing it there. I believe we went off onto a tangent when we started talking about monkeys on unicycles at his retirement party. b) In a …
23tangent — [ tan(d)ʒ(ə)nt] 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 …
24tangent — /ˈtændʒənt / (say tanjuhnt) adjective 1. touching. 2. Geometry touching, as a straight line in relation to a curve or surface; passing through two (or more) consecutive points of a curve or surface. 3. in contact along a single line or element,… …
25tangent — [tan′jənt] adj. [L tangens, prp. of tangere, to touch: see TACT] 1. that touches; touching 2. Geom. touching and not intersecting a curve or curved surface at one and only one point: said of a line or plane n. [< ModL ( linea) tangens, tangent …
26Tangent piano — The tangent piano is a very rare keyboard instrument that resembles a harpsichord and early pianos in design. It normally features five octaves of keys and the strings are acted upon by narrow wooden or metal slips when the keys are… …
27tangent — UK [ˈtændʒ(ə)nt] / US [ˈtændʒənt] noun [countable] Word forms tangent : singular tangent plural tangents maths 1) a straight line that touches the edge of a circle but does not pass through it 2) in a right angled triangle, the measurement of an… …
28tangent — tan|gent [ tændʒənt ] noun count 1. ) TECHNICAL a straight line that touches the edge of a circle but does not pass through it 2. ) in a RIGHT TRIANGLE, the measurement of an ACUTE angle that is equal to the length of the side opposite the angle… …
29on a tangent — (off) on a tangent suddenly dealing with a completely different matter. We were talking about gas prices and you went off on a tangent about your vacation plans …
30tangent — tan•gent [[t]ˈtæn dʒənt[/t]] n. 1) math. 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… …
