Definitions

1. adjective

relating to or forming a tangent, or being only slightly connected to or related to something.

“The scientist’s argument was tangential to the main topic of the debate.”

2. noun

a line or curve that touches a given curve at one point and has the same slope as the given curve at that point.

“The mathematician studied the properties of tangents in geometry.”

3. verb

to make something only slightly connected to or related to something else.

“The comedian’s joke tangentialized the main theme of the show.”