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Of or pertaining to a tangent; in the direction of a tangent. Tangential force (Mech.), a force which acts on a moving body in the direction of a tangent to the path of the body, its effect being to increase or diminish the velocity; -- distinguished from a normal force, which acts at right angles to the tangent and ch…

In the direction of a tangent.

pecifically (Magnetism), a line in proximity to a magnet so drawn that any point in it is tangential with the direction of a short compass needle held at that point. Faraday. -- Line of life (Palmistry), a line on the inside of the hand, curving about the base of the thumb, supposed to indicate, by its form or positio…

er in a direction parallel to their plane of contact; -- also called shearing stress, and tangential stress.

ing to its direction, or mode of action, as thrust or pressure, pull or tension, shear or tangential stress. Rankine. Stress is the mutual action between portions of matter. Clerk Maxwell.

A tension spoke of a bicycle or similar wheel, secured tangentially to the hub.

Tangential.

Art of preparing sections (transverse, tangential, or radial) of wood, esp. by means of a microtome, for microscopic examination.