tangent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point
  2. noun ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
    tan.

WordNet

Tan"gent noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  1. (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.
Tan"gent adjective
Etymology
L. tangens, -entis, p.pr.
Definitions
  1. 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.

Webster 1913