tangent

  1. Noun.  (geometry) A straight line touching a curve at a single point without crossing it there.
  2. Noun.  (trigonometry) In a right triangle, the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the side adjacent to the angle. Symbols: tan, tg.
  3. Noun.  (mathematics) The ratio of the sine to the cosine, in either the real or complex numbers.-->.
  4. Noun.  A topic nearly unrelated to the main topic, but having a point in common with it.
  5. Noun.  A small metal blade by which a clavichord produces sound.
  6. Adjective.  (geometry) Touching a curve at a single point but not crossing it at that point.
  7. Adjective.  Of a topic, only loosely related to a main topic.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.