tangential

adjective tan·gen·tial \tan-ˈjen(t)-shəl\

: slightly or indirectly related to something : not closely connected to something

geometry : relating to a tangent : in or along a tangent

Full Definition of TANGENTIAL

: of, relating to, or of the nature of a tangent

: acting along or lying in a tangent <tangential forces>

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

See tangential defined for English-language learners

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