Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard
Which of the definitions is more actionable?
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Well, that's very easy to answer:
1) The more common use of a word should always be applied, unless specific circumstance demand otherwise (eg here in a highly mathematical treatise). But don't take my word for it - see any book on writing.
2) In this discussion (about the angle of a rear hatch extension) the relationship to the 'trigonometric function of an acute angle in a triangle' is an irrelevant obfuscation.
You would say 'tangent' not 'angle' only if you were trying to create confusion, or the angle related to a curved surface.
It's a good example of where some people here try to make things as complex as possible - I don't know why.