tangential
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tan·gen·tial
(tăn-jĕn′shəl) also tan·gen·tal (-jĕn′tl)adj.
1. Of, relating to, or moving along or in the direction of a tangent.
2. Merely touching or slightly connected.
3. Only superficially relevant; divergent: a tangential remark.
tan·gen′ti·al′i·ty (-shē-ăl′ĭ-tē) n.
tan·gen′tial·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
tangential
(tænˈdʒɛnʃəl)adj
1. (Mathematics) of, being, relating to, or in the direction of a tangent
2. (Astronomy) astronomy Also: transverse (of velocity) in a direction perpendicular to the line of sight of a celestial object. Compare radial6
3. of superficial relevance only; digressive
tanˌgentiˈality n
tanˈgentially, tanˈgentally adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
tan•gen•tial
(tænˈdʒɛn ʃəl)adj.
1. pertaining to or of the nature of a tangent; being or moving in the direction of a tangent.
2. incidental; peripheral.
3. divergent or digressive: tangential remarks.
[1620–30]
tan•gen`ti•al′i•ty (-ʃiˈæl ɪ ti) n.
tan•gen′tial•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Adj. | 1. | tangential - of superficial relevance if any; "a digressive allusion to the day of the week"; "a tangential remark" irrelevant - having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue; "an irrelevant comment"; "irrelevant allegations" |
2. | tangential - of or relating to or acting along or in the direction of a tangent; "tangential forces" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
tangential
adjectiveMarked by or given to digression:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
tangential
adj (Math) → tangential; this is merely tangential to the problem → dies berührt das Problem nur am Rande
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
tangential
adj (psych) tangencialEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.