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2 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ 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]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) :   [ web1913 ]

  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.
  
     Artificial, 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.

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