hypotenuse

[ hahy-pot-n-oos, -yoos ]

noun

, Geometry.

1. the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.

hypotenuse

/ haɪˈpɒtɪˌnjuːz /

noun

1. the side in a right-angled triangle that is opposite the right angle hyp

hypotenuse

/ hī-pŏt′n-o̅o̅s′ /

1. The side of a right triangle opposite the right angle. It is the longest side, and the square of its length is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.

hypotenuse

1. In a right triangle (a triangle that has one right angle ), the side opposite the right angle. ( See Pythagorean theorem .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypotenuse¹

1565–75; earlier hypotenusa < Latin hypotēnūsa < Greek hypoteínousa ( grámmē ) subtending (line) (feminine present participle of hypoteínein to subtend), equivalent to hypo- hypo- + tein- stretch ( thin ) + -ousa feminine present participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypotenuse¹

C16: from Latin hypotēnūsa, from Greek hupoteinousa grammē subtending line, from hupoteinein to subtend, from hypo- + teinein to stretch

Example Sentences

That’s because 65 happened to be the length of the hypotenuse for three distinct Pythagorean triples with legs that formed an arithmetic sequence.

From FiveThirtyEight

One week later he decided that he should have cupped his hands and shouted, "You hypotenuse hussy!"

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Isadore Binswanger inserted a toothpick between his lips and stretched his limbs out at a hypotenuse from the chair.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus we demonstrate that the surface of a regular polygon may be found by multiplying the perimeter by half the hypotenuse.

From Project Gutenberg

First take out the two rectangles formed on the hypotenuse; place them in the two lateral grooves, and lower the triangle.

From Project Gutenberg

Presently he turned again, to return cross-lots along the hypotenuse of the triangle.

From Project Gutenberg