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.

Touching; touching at a single point

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.

In a right triangle, the tangent of a given angle is the length of the side opposite the angle divided by the length of the side adjacent to the triangle.

In a right triangle, the ratio of the length of the side opposite an angle to the length of the side adjacent to the angle.

Tangent of Angle A = BC\AC Tan of Angle A = opposite\adjacent.

A tangent, when referred to in the context of the action of a tangent piano refers to the small slip of wood similar in shape to a harpsichord jack or similar to an unleathered fortepiano hammer which strikes the string to produce sound. It is similar to the tangent of a clavichord only in the sense that they both are driven ultimately by the player's finger to strike the string to initate sound. In the clavichord, the tangent remains in contact with the string to keep the note sounding, while in the tangent piano, the tangent immediately rebounds from the string so that the string is allowed to vibrate freely (that is, it has an escapement).

A tangent, when referred to in the context of the action of a clavichord, refers to the small piece of metal similar in shape and size to the head of a flat-bladed screwdriver. It is similar to the tangent of a Tangent piano only in that it is driven, ultimately by the player's fingers to strike the string and initiate sound. In a clavichord, the tangent remains in contact with the string while the string is sounding its note, while in the tangent piano, the tangent rebounds from the string as in a modern piano, that is, it has an escapement.

In mathematics, the word tangent has two distinct but etymologically-related meanings: one in geometry and one in trigonometry.

See Neck