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tangent

tan·gent

tangent

 
 
pronunciation:
taen jnt
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
phrases:
go off on a tangent
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: in contact, esp. at a single point or along a single line; touching.
similar words:
touching
definition 2: irrelevant; diverging from the main focus of a matter.
We don't need to hear these tangent remarks of his.
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: a tangent line or plane.
definition 2: in a right triangle, the ratio of the side opposite a given angle to the side adjacent to the angle.
definition 3: a line of discussion leading away from the original topic; digression.
We need to remain focused on our topic today and not go off on any tangents.
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phrase: go off on a tangent
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