Tangential
a.-
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 changes the direction of the motion without changing the velocity.
Tangential stress . (Engin.)
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