Definitions for tangent

• Definition
• Anagrams (90)

tangent tan·gent

Spelling: [tan-juh nt]

IPA: /ˈtæn dʒənt/

Tangent is a 7 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 8 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 11 points.

You can make 90 anagrams from letters in tangent (aegnntt).

Definitions for tangent

noun

1. Geometry. a line or a plane that touches a curve or a surface at a point so that it is closer to the curve in the vicinity of the point than any other line or plane drawn through the point.
2. Trigonometry. (in a right triangle) the ratio of the side opposite a given angle to the side adjacent to the angle. Also called tan. (of an angle) a trigonometric function equal to the ratio of the ordinate of the end point of the arc to the abscissa of this end point, the origin being at the center of the circle on which the arc lies and the initial point of the arc being on the x-axis. Abbreviation: tg, tgn. (originally) a straight line perpendicular to the radius of a circle at one end of an arc and extending from this point to the produced radius which cuts off the arc at its other end.
3. the upright metal blade, fastened on the inner end of a clavichord key, that rises and strikes the string when the outer end of the key is depressed.

Idioms

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

adjective

1. in immediate physical contact; touching.
2. Geometry. 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.
3. tangential (def 3).

Origin of tangent

1585-90; Latin tangent- (stem of tangēns, present participle of tangere to touch) in phrase līnea tangēns touching line; see -ent

Examples for tangent

There wasn't a half mile of tangent at a single stretch in the whole of it.

But, look out, fellow strollers, for we are off in a tangent!

The mere thought of the hospital sent her mind flying off at a tangent.

A tangent is but one onely in that point of the periphery Schoner.

Not every tangent Jacobson follows is particularly illuminating, as he is the first to admit.

The complement of the logarithm of a sine, tangent, or secant.

Or thus: if it be perpendicular to the tangent, it is a diameter by the touch point: Schoner.

For otherwise a tangent were not on the same part one onely and no more.

His conversation when he does not fly off at a tangent is full of pith and idea.

A line drawn from the centre of a circle to the extremity of the tangent.