About The Word Tangent

Bay Area Crosswords

Learn about the word Tangent to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Tangent definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.

Tangent

Tangent Meaning & Definition
Tangent Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Tangent?

[n] ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
[n] a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point

Synonyms | Synonyms for Tangent: tan

Related Terms | Find terms related to Tangent:

See Also | circular function | straight line | trigonometric function

Tangent In Webster's Dictionary

\Tan"gent\, n. [L. tangens, -entis, p. pr. of tangere to touch; akin to Gr. ? having seized: cf. F. tangente. Cf. {Attain}, {Contaminate}, {Contingent}, {Entire}, {Tact}, {Taste}, {Tax}, v. t.] (Geom.) 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}. {Artificial}, or {Logarithmic}, {tangent}, the logarithm of the natural tangent of an arc. {Natural tangent}, a decimal expressing the length of the tangent of an arc, the radius being reckoned unity. {Tangent galvanometer} (Elec.), a form of galvanometer having a circular coil and a short needle, in which the tangent of the angle of deflection of the needle is proportional to the strength of the current. {Tangent of an angle}, the natural tangent of the arc subtending or measuring the angle. {Tangent of an arc}, a right line, as ta, touching the arc of a circle at one extremity a, and terminated by a line ct, passing from the center through the other extremity o.
\Tan"gent\, a. [L. tangens, -entis, p. pr.] Touching; touching at a single point; specifically (Geom.) 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. {Tangent plane} (Geom.), a plane which touches a surface in a point or line. {Tangent scale} (Gun.), a kind of breech sight for a cannon. {Tangent screw} (Mach.), an endless screw; a worm.

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