'Tangent' definitions:

Definition of 'tangent'

From: WordNet
noun
A straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point
noun
Ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle [syn: tangent, tan]

Definition of 'Tangent'

From: GCIDE
  • Tangent \Tan"gent\, a. [L. tangens, -entis, p. pr.] Touching; touching at a single point; specifically (Geom.) 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Tangent'

From: GCIDE
  • Tangent \Tan"gent\, n. [L. tangens, -entis, p. pr. of tangere to touch; akin to Gr. ? having seized: cf. F. tangente. Cf. Attain, Contaminate, Contingent, Entire, Tact, Taste, Tax, v. t.] (Geom.) 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Artificial tangent, 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. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'tangent'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Tangent, OR -- U.S. city in Oregon

From: Gazetteer 2000
Name :
Tangent, OR -- U.S. city in Oregon
Population (2000) :
933
Housing Units (2000) :
366
Land area (2000) :
3.778661 sq. miles (9.786686 sq. km)
Water area (2000) :
0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
Total area (2000) :
3.778661 sq. miles (9.786686 sq. km)
FIPS code :
72600
Located within :
Oregon (OR), FIPS 41
Location :
44.550063 N, 123.109110 W
ZIP Codes (1990) :
97389
Note :
some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.