Definitions
1.nounA straight line touching a curve at a single point without crossing it there.
2.nounA function of an angle that gives the ratio of the sine to the cosine, in either the real or complex numbers. Symbols: tan, tg.
3.nounA topic nearly unrelated to the main topic, but having a point in common with it."I believe we went off onto a tangent when we started talking about monkeys on unicycles at his retirement party."
4.nounA small metal blade in a clavichord that strikes the strings to produce sound.
5.adjectiveTouching a curve at a single point but not crossing it at that point.
6.adjectiveOf a topic, only loosely related to a main topic.