Main Entry:

tan·gen·tial

Pronunciation:

\tan-ˈjen(t)-shəl\

Function:

adjective

Date:

1630

1: of, relating to, or of the nature of a tangent2: 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