subtangent

[ suhb-tan-juhnt ]

noun

, Geometry.

1. the part of the x-axis cut off between the ordinate of a given point of a curve and the tangent at that point.

subtangent

/ sʌbˈtændʒənt /

noun

1. geometry a segment of the x -axis lying between the x -coordinate of the point at which a tangent is drawn to a curve and the intercept of the tangent with the axis

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtangent¹

First recorded in 1705–15; sub- + tangent