Tangent

tan′jent, n. a line which touches a curve, and which when produced does not cut it.— ns. Tan′gency , Tan′gence , state of being tangent: a contact or touching.— adj. Tangen′tial , of or pertaining to a tangent: in the direction of a tangent.— n. Tangential′ity .— adv. Tangen′tially , in the direction of a tangent.— Go off , or Fly off , at a tangent , to break off suddenly into a different line of thought, . [L. tangens , -ent is , pr.p. of tangĕre , to touch.]