Category:Tangent

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.)

Defn: 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.

Tangent Tan"gent, a. Etym: [l. tangens, -entis, p.pr.]

Defn: touching; touching at a single point; specifically (geom.)

Defn: 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.