TANGENTIAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tangential mean? 

• TANGENTIAL (adjective)
  The adjective TANGENTIAL has 2 senses:

1. of superficial relevance if any

2. of or relating to or acting along or in the direction of a tangent

  Familiarity information: TANGENTIAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TANGENTIAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of superficial relevance if any

Synonyms:

digressive; tangential

Context example:

a tangential remark

Similar:

irrelevant (having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to or acting along or in the direction of a tangent

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

tangential forces

Pertainym:

tangent (a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point)

Derivation:

tangent (ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle)

tangent (a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point)

 Context examples 

Can be difficult to distinguish from tangential sections of HGPIN glands, especially given the extensive nature of HGPIN in most models showing progression and the thin rim of stroma in mouse.

(Microinvasive Carcinoma of the Mouse Prostate Gland, NCI Thesaurus/MMHCC)