tangential
/tæn'dʤenʃəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to a tangent: Pertaining to, being, or moving in the direction of a tangent line. In geometry, a tangent is a line that touches a curve at a single point without crossing it.
- Only superficially related; digressive: Describing something that has only a slight or indirect connection to the main subject; peripheral or divergent.
Usage and Examples
Relating to a tangent (Mathematics/Physics):
- The engineer calculated the tangential velocity of the rotating wheel.
- In this diagram, the red line represents the tangential component of the force.
Only superficially related; digressive:
- His comment about the weather was interesting but tangential to our discussion on economic policy.
- The article included several tangential anecdotes that distracted from its central argument.
Advanced Usage
- "Tangential to": Used to indicate a subject is only loosely connected to another.
- The point she raised, while insightful, was largely tangential to the core issue we need to resolve.
Variants and Related Words
Tangentially (adverb): In a tangential manner.
- He only addressed the main topic tangentially, spending most of his speech on unrelated matters.
Tangent (noun):
- A straight line that touches a curve at a point.
- A sudden digression or change of course in thought or conversation.
Synonyms
- Peripheral: Related to the edge or periphery; of secondary importance.
- Digressive: Straying from the main point.
- Incidental: Occurring as a minor accompaniment; not essential.
- Extraneous: Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject.
Antonyms
- Central: Of primary importance.
- Relevant: Closely connected or appropriate.
- Germane: Relevant to a subject under consideration.
- Pertinent: Applicable to the matter at hand.
Adjective
- of or relating to or acting along or in the direction of a tangent
- tangential forces
- of superficial relevance if any
- a digressive allusion to the day of the week
- a tangential remark