Common Senses: Tangere – 15 Words

a line that touches a curve at only one point

Our word “touch” is from the Latin tangere, from which comes ” tangent,” and also “tag,” an old touching game.Smith, David Eugene
tangential

of superficial relevance if any

They all begin unfocused, the discussions abstract or tangential, the conversations meandering and often far off topic.Scientific American (Sep 9, 2013)
cotangent

ratio of the adjacent to the opposite side of a right-angled triangle

The only gleam of intelligence Old Cotangent showed was when he said that squaring the circle was too easy.James, Henry
tangible

perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch

This is also the easiest technique to utilize, because gifts come in many forms, from non-material compliments, to tangible material gifts.Time (May 14, 2014)
intangible

assets that are saleable though not material or physical

Your sales team is responsible for applying the human factor to the equation—this intangible can make or break any deal.Forbes (Feb 10, 2014)
tact

consideration in dealing with others

This personal political situation, involving far more subtle loyalties, requires gentler tact yet an equally firm hand.The Guardian (Jul 24, 2013)
tactless

lacking what is considerate in dealing with others

The “touchiness” of the world in general affords tactless persons a perennial source of offended astonishment.Cholmondeley, Mary
tactile

producing a sensation of touch

A sensory room contains lights and music and tactile objects to stimulate the senses.BBC (Dec 28, 2013)
tactual

of or relating to or proceeding from the sense of touch

In the Primates the evolution of intellect and the evolution of tactual appendages go hand in hand.Tyndall, John
intact

lacking nothing essential, not damaged

He is a man who has emerged from the rubble physically intact, though spiritually damaged.Los Angeles Times (May 24, 2014)
contact

a communicative interaction

However, doctors are discovering that, for appropriate patients, alternative forms of patient contact can be very effective: email, telephone, video-conferencing, etc.Forbes (May 27, 2014)
contagion

any disease easily transmitted by contact

In the sci-fi thriller Contagion, a new virus emerges from wildlife and jumps into human beings, wreaking havoc around the world.Time (Oct 16, 2013)
contagious

easily diffused or spread as from one person to another

But if there can be epidemics of crime or epidemics of fashion, there must be all kinds of things just as contagious as viruses.The Tipping Point
contiguous

having a common boundary or edge

It would be ideal if the protected areas were in contiguous blocks connecting ranchlands in one area to those in another.Scientific American (Feb 22, 2013)
contingent

determined by conditions or circumstances that follow

The two-year withdrawal plan for Afghanistan is contingent on the next Afghan president signing a security agreement with the U.S.US News (May 28, 2014)