[ˈtan(d)ʒ(ə)nt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point, but if extended does not cross it at that point

- a completely different line of thought or action
(e.g: Loretta's mind went off at a tangent)

- the trigonometric function that is equal to the ratio of the sides (other than the hypotenuse) opposite and adjacent to an angle in a right-angled triangle


Phrases:

Origin:
late 16th century (in tangent and as an adjective): from Latin tangent- ‘touching’, from the verb tangere

[ˈtan(d)ʒ(ə)nt], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- (of a line or plane) touching, but not intersecting, a curve or curved surface
(e.g: this curve is tangent to the average cost curve)


Phrases:

Origin:
late 16th century (in tangent and as an adjective): from Latin tangent- ‘touching’, from the verb tangere