hypotenuse

hy·pot·e·nuse

noun \hī-ˈpä-tə-ˌnüs, -ˌnyüz\

Definition of HYPOTENUSE

1

: the side of a right-angled triangle that is opposite the right angle

2

: the length of a hypotenuse

Variants of HYPOTENUSE

hy·pot·e·nuse also hy·poth·e·nuse \-ˈpä-thə-\

Illustration of HYPOTENUSE

Origin of HYPOTENUSE

Latin hypotenusa, from Greek hypoteinousa, from feminine of hypoteinōn, present participle of hypoteinein to subtend, from hypo- + teinein to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use: 1594

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with HYPOTENUSE

Canada goose