www.alphadictionary.com

This is clearly of Latin origin and a useful word. My question is whether the Latin "tangere"meaning "to touch" has any other progeny in the Romance languages? Specifically whether the Spanish word "tengo" (infinitive "tener" - to hold, to have) is related?

I'm no expert, but it would appear that your hypothesis is not suitable in this instance. Tangible comes from "tangere", whereas the English for holding, say "tenant", comes from "tenir." Then again, as your question is about Spanish, to quote the Pope, "Who am I to judge?"

Tener, tengo means first to have and sometimes to hold. I suspect it may be related to tanger. Someone versed in PIE might connect them. Since I studied Hebrew and found the old language had no vowels, I began to notice the shape of words with only consonants. Not infallible, but often gives insights. I would guess vowels are more mutable than consonants. Just today I heard a woman say think you instead of thank you. I occasionally hear that and wonder where it comes from. Usually pronounced with high pitched nasal accent like Lily Tomkins as the phone operator.

The Spanish verb derived from Latin tangere is tañer – to strum (a musical instrument) or to ring (a bell). Tangere comes from Proto-Indo-European tag- (to touch), according to Wiktionary.

The Spanish tener (to have), from Latin tenere (to hold), comes from PIE ten- (to stretch or draw).

So the two sets of words seem to be unrelated. One has to do with the idea of touching, tapping or striking, and the other has to do with holding, grasping or pulling.

The Spanish tener (to have), from Latin tenere (to hold), comes from PIE ten- (to stretch or draw).

So the two sets of words seem to be unrelated. One has to do with the idea of touching, tapping or striking, and the other has to do with holding, grasping or pulling.

These both are in keeping with the very definition of tangible, ???

M. Bailey