tangential motion

[ tan-jen-shuhl moh-shuhn ]

/ tænˈdʒɛn ʃəl ˈmoʊ ʃən /

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noun Astronomy.

the component of the linear motion of a star with respect to the sun, measured along a line perpendicular to its line of sight and expressed in miles or kilometers per second.

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Also called tan·gen·tial ve·loc·i·ty.

[tan-jen-shuhl vuh-los-i-tee] /tænˈdʒɛn ʃəl vəˈlɒs ɪ ti/

Compare proper motion, radial motion.

Origin of tangential motion

First recorded in 1760–70

Words nearby tangential motion

tangency, tangent, tangent galvanometer, tangential, tangentially, tangential motion, tangent line, tangent plane, tangerine, tangi, tangible

How to use tangential motion in a sentence

I wonder what that lady is doing now, and if she knows what she set in motion with Archer?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The train was already in motion as she tried to step inside, and her body was crushed beneath it.
Riding Thailand’s WWII Death Railway|Liza Foreman|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stop-motion animation artist PES has unveiled a new short this week.
‘Sexual’ Barbershop Quartet, a Panda Family Reunion, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But what he did set in motion a series of events that ended in his life being lost.
A Black Cop’s Tough Words for Mike Brown|Mary M. Chapman|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This year McQueen picked up three Oscars (including best picture) for his third motion picture 12 Years A Slave.
Has the Turner Prize Gone Soft?|David Levesley|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In this situation we waited the motion of the enemy, without perceiving any advancement they made towards us.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
These sections also have vibrations of their own which are of shorter length and more rapid motion.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
Felipe watched over her as a lover might; her great mournful eyes followed his every motion.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
At six o'clock I felt once more the welcome motion of a Railroad car, and at eight was in Venice.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
The first jolt had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterwards the motion was easy enough.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift