Main Entry: tan·gen·tial

Pronunciation: \tan-ˈjen(t)-shəl\

Function: adjective

Date: 1630

1 : of, relating to, or of the nature of a tangent
2 : acting along or lying in a tangent <tangential forces>
3 a : divergent, digressive b : touching lightly : incidental, peripheral <tangential involvement>; also : of little relevance <arguments tangential to the main point>

— tan·gen·tial·ly \-ˈjen(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb