A "tangente" is a mathematical term that refers to a line that touches a curve at a single point without crossing it. This point is called the point of tangency. In calculus, the tangent line represents the instantaneous rate of change of a function at that point, providing valuable information about the function's behavior. In geometry, the concept of a tangent is often applied to circles. A tangent line to a circle is perpendicular to the radius drawn to the point of tangency. Understanding tangents is essential in various fields, including physics, engineering, and computer graphics, where curves and their properties are frequently analyzed.