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Definition of tangent : 1. A tangent line curve, or surface; specifically, that portion of the straight line tangent to a curve that is between the point of tangency and a given line, the given line being, for example, the axis of abscissas, or a radius of a circle produced. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.
2. meeting a curve or surface at a point and having at that point the same direction as the curve or surface; - said of a straight line, curve, or surface; as, a line tangent to a curve; a curve tangent to a surface; tangent surfaces.
3. Touching; touching at a single point

Synonyms:

aside, sunburn, cotangent, diameter, horizontal, obtuse, excursus, divergence, orthogonal, burn, tan, topaz, diagonal, oblique, axis, parenthesis, chord, degree, median, suntan, deviation, arc, excursion, inclined plane, perpendicular, approach, cos, line, minute, outline, divergency, curvature, digression, irrelevancy, divagation, cosine

in contact, contiguous, tangential

Usage examples:

• The tangent- sight on the standard of their machine- gun is always at 200, and they have not altered the range for three months. - "Leaves from a Field Note-Book", J. H. Morgan.
• 104. The electrons are going of their own accord and the nucleus keeps them from flying off at a tangent, the way mud flies from the wheel of an automobile. - "Letters of a Radio-Engineer to His Son", John Mills.
• I can determine the coefficient of friction from the angle of friction by taking the tangent of the angle. - "The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays", J. (John) Joly.