3. [Probably of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. tangi a projecting point; akin to E. tongs. See Tongs.] A projecting
part of an object by means of which it is secured to a handle, or to some other part; anything resembling
a tongue in form or position. Specifically: —
(a) The part of a knife, fork, file, or other small instrument, which is inserted into the handle.
(b) The projecting part of the breech of a musket barrel, by which the barrel is secured to the stock.
(c) The part of a sword blade to which the handle is fastened.
(d) The tongue of a buckle. [Prov. Eng.]
Tang
(Tang), n. [Of imitative origin. Cf. Twang. This word has become confused with tang tatse,
flavor.] A sharp, twanging sound; an unpleasant tone; a twang.
Tang
(Tang), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tanged ; p. pr. & vb. n. Tanging.] To cause to ring or sound loudly; to
ring.
Let thy tongue tang arguments of state.
Shak. To tang bees, to cause a swarm of bees to settle, by beating metal to make a din.
Tang
(Tang), v. i. To make a ringing sound; to ring.
Let thy tongue tang arguments of state.
Shak. Tangalung
(Tan"ga*lung) n. (Zoöl.) An East Indian civet
Tangence
(Tan"gence) n. Tangency. [R.]
Tangency
(Tan"gen*cy) n. The quality or state of being tangent; a contact or touching.
Tangent
(Tan"gent) n. [L. tangens, - entis, p. pr. of tangere to touch; akin to Gr. having seized: cf. F.
tangente. Cf. Attain, Contaminate, Contingent, Entire, Tact, Taste, Tax, v. t.] (Geom.) A tangent
line curve, or surface; specifically, that portion of the straight line tangent to a curve that is between the
point of tangency and a given line, the given line being, for example, the axis of abscissas, or a radius
of a circle produced. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.
Artificial, or Logarithmic, tangent, the logarithm of the natural tangent of an arc. — Natural tangent,
a decimal expressing the length of the tangent of an arc, the radius being reckoned unity. — Tangent
galvanometer (Elec.), a form of galvanometer having a circular coil and a short needle, in which the
tangent of the angle of deflection of the needle is proportional to the strength of the current. — Tangent
of an angle, the natural tangent of the arc subtending or measuring the angle. — Tangent of an arc,
a right line, as ta, touching the arc of a circle at one extremity a, and terminated by a line ct, passing
from the center through the other extremity o.
Tangent
(Tan"gent), a. [L. tangens, - entis, p. pr.] Touching; touching at a single point; specifically
(Geom.) meeting a curve or surface at a point and having at that point the same direction as the curve
or surface; — said of a straight line, curve, or surface; as, a line tangent to a curve; a curve tangent to a
surface; tangent surfaces.
Tangent plane (Geom.), a plane which touches a surface in a point or line. — Tangent scale (Gun.),
a kind of breech sight for a cannon. — Tangent screw (Mach.), an endless screw; a worm.
Tangental
(Tan*gen"tal) a. (Geom.) Tangential.
