tangential
UK: tanˈdʒɛnʃ(ə)l | US: tænˈdʒɛnʃəl
adj. relating to or along a tangent
adj. only slightly connected; peripheral
adj. (mathematics) touching but not intersecting a curve or surface
The word "tangential" derives from the Latin "tangens," the present participle of "tangere" (to touch). The root "tang-" (touch) appears in related words like "tangible" (able to be touched) and "contact" (touching together). The suffix "-ial" converts the noun "tangent" (a line touching a curve) into an adjective, originally describing geometric properties but later extended metaphorically to mean "superficially relevant." The evolution reflects a shift from literal touch to abstract connection.
The professor’s tangential remarks distracted from the main lecture topic.
In geometry, a tangential line meets a circle at exactly one point.
Their discussion was tangential to the project’s core objectives.
She made a tangential reference to politics during the science debate.
The comet’s path was nearly tangential to Earth’s orbit.