Meaning of the word tangent in English
What does tangent mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
tangent
US /ˈtæn.dʒənt/
UK /ˈtæn.dʒənt/
Noun
1.
a completely different line of thought or action
Example:
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The speaker went off on a tangent about his childhood.
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Let's not go off on a tangent; stick to the main point.
2.
a straight line that touches a curve or curved surface at a single point, but does not cross it
Example:
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The line AB is a tangent to the circle at point P.
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In geometry, a tangent never intersects the curve more than once.
Adjective
touching, but not intersecting, a curve or curved surface
Example:
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The road runs tangent to the lake.
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The satellite's orbit was tangent to the planet's atmosphere.
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