a straight line that touches the edge of a circle but does not pass through it
Synonyms and related words
Lines and flat surfaces
arc
axis
chord
2
in a right-angled triangle, the measurement of an acute angle that is equal to the length of the side opposite the angle divided by the length of the side between the angle and the right angle
Synonyms and related words
Describing and measuring angles
at right angles to/at a right angle to
cos
cosine
phrases
go off at/on a tangent
tangent
noun countable maths
US /ˈtændʒənt/
Other entries for this word
go off at/on a tangentphrase
Word Forms
singular
tangent
plural
tangents
DEFINITIONS2
1
a straight line that touches the edge of a circle but does not pass through it
Synonyms and related words
Lines and flat surfaces
arc
axis
chord
2
in a right triangle, the measurement of an acute angle that is equal to the length of the side opposite the angle divided by the length of the side between the angle and the right angle