Defn: 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. 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.
TANGENTAL
Tan*gen"tal, a. (Geom.)
Defn: Tangential.
TANGENTIAL
Tan*gen"tial, a. (Geom.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a tangent; in the direction of a tangent. 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.
TANGENTIALLY
Tan*gen"tial*ly, adv.
Defn: In the direction of a tangent.
TANGENT SPOKE
Tangent spoke.
Defn: A tension spoke of a bicycle or similar wheel, secured tangentially to the hub.
TANGENT WHEEL
Tangent wheel.
(a) A worm or worm wheel; a tangent screw.
(b) A wheel with tangent spokes.