'Tangential force' definitions:

Definition of 'Tangential force'

From: GCIDE
  • Tangential \Tan*gen"tial\, a. (Geom.) Of or pertaining to a tangent; in the direction of a tangent. [1913 Webster]
  • Tangential force (Mech.), a force which acts on a moving body in the direction of a tangent to the path of the body, its effect being to increase or diminish the velocity; -- distinguished from a normal force, which acts at right angles to the tangent and changes the direction of the motion without changing the velocity.
  • Tangential stress. (Engin.) See Shear, n., 3. [1913 Webster]