tangent, tan
(noun) ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
tangent
(noun) a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point
Source: WordNet® 3.1
tangent (plural tangents)
(differential geometry) A straight line touching a curve at a single point without crossing it there.
(math) A function of an angle that gives the ratio of the sine to the cosine, in either the real or complex numbers. Symbols: tan, tg.
A topic nearly unrelated to the main topic, but having a point in common with it.
(music) A small metal blade in a clavichord that strikes the strings to produce sound.
• (straight line): tangent line
tangent (not comparable)
(geometry) Touching a curve at a single point but not crossing it at that point.
Of a topic, only loosely related to a main topic.
Source: Wiktionary
Tan"gent, n. Etym: [L. tangens, -entis, p.pr. of tangere to touch; akin to Gr. tangente. Cf. Attain, Contaminate, Contingent, Entire, Tact, Taste, Tax, v. t.] (Geom.)
Definition: 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. Etym: [L. tangens, -entis, p.pr.]
Definition: Touching; touching at a single point; specifically (Geom.)
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
11 February 2025
(noun) shad-like food fish that runs rivers to spawn; often salted or smoked; sometimes placed in genus Pomolobus
Espresso is both a coffee beverage and a brewing method that originated in Italy. When making an espresso, a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure forces through finely-ground coffee beans. It has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages. Its smaller serving size will take three shots to equal a mug of standard brewed coffee.