The meaning of TANGENTIAL is touching lightly : incidental, peripheral; also : of little relevance. How to use tangential in a sentence. Tangential Has Mathematical Roots

TANGENTIAL definition: pertaining to or of the nature of a tangent; being or moving in the direction of a tangent. See examples of tangential used in a sentence.

TANGENTIAL meaning: 1. of or along a tangent 2. (of a subject or activity) different from or not directly connected…. Learn more.

3 meanings: 1. of, being, relating to, or in the direction of a tangent 2. Also: transverse astronomy (of velocity) in a.... Click for more definitions.

Define tangential. tangential synonyms, tangential pronunciation, tangential translation, English dictionary definition of tangential. also tan·gen·tal adj. 1. Of, relating to, or moving along or in the …

Definition of tangential adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

What is the etymology of the word tangential? tangential is a borrowing from Latin, combined with an English element. Etymons: Latin *tangentia, ‑al suffix1.

Tangent to a curve. The red line is tangential to the curve at the point marked by a red dot. Tangent plane to a sphere In geometry, the tangent line (or simply tangent) to a plane curve at a given point …

Tangential describes something that's not part of the whole. If you make a comment that is tangential to the story you're telling, it's a digression. The story could still be understood without it.

tangential (def. 3). n. Mathematics [Geom.]a line or a plane that touches a curve or a surface at a point so that it is closer to the curve in the vicinity of the point than any other line or plane drawn through …