Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

hypothenuse

 - 6 dictionary results

hy⋅poth⋅e⋅nuse

  [hahy-poth-uh-noos, -nyoos]
Use hypothenuse in a Sentence
–noun
hypotenuse.

hy⋅pot⋅e⋅nuse

  [hahy-pot-n-oos, -yoos]
–noun Geometry.
the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.
Also, hypothenuse.

Origin:
1565–75; earlier hypotenusa < L hypotēnūsa < Gk hypoteínousa (grámmē) subtending (line) (fem. prp. of hypoteínein to subtend), equiv. to hypo- hypo- + tein- stretch (see thin ) + -ousa fem. prp. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To hypothenuse
hy·pot·e·nuse   (hī-pŏt'n-ōōs', -yōōs')   


(click for larger image in new window)
n.   Abbr. hyp.
The side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.

[Latin hypotēnūsa, from Greek hupoteinousa, from feminine present participle of hupoteinein, to stretch or extend under : hupo-, hypo- + teinein, to stretch; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]
hy·poth·e·nuse   (hī-pŏth'ə-nōōs', -nyōōs')   
n.  Variant of hypotenuse.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

hypotenuse [(heye-pot-n-oohs, heye-pot-n-yoohs)]

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

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

hypotenuse 
1571, from L.L. hypotenusa, from Gk. hypoteinousa "stretching under" (the right angle), fem. prp. of hypoteinein, from hypo- "under" + teinein "to stretch" (see tenet).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see hypothenuse on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way