Tangent
/ˈtæn.dʒənt/noun
A straight line or plane that touches a curve at a single point without crossing it.
Did you know?In ancient mathematics, the concept of a tangent was not just a geometric term but also linked to the idea of touching the divine or the infinite through geometry.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
tangens
“Touching or contact.”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
tangentem
“The act of touching.”
14th Century
Middle English
tangent
“A line that touches a curve.”
Modern English
English
tangent
“A mathematical term for a line that meets a curve at a point.”