pons asinorum

[ as-uh-nawr-uhm, -nohr- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Geometry.

a geometric proposition that if a triangle has two of its sides equal, the angles opposite these sides are also equal: so named from the difficulty experienced by beginners in mastering it. Euclid, 1:5.

pons asinorum

/ ˌæsɪˈnɔːrəm /

noun

the geometric proposition that the angles opposite the two equal sides of an isosceles triangle are equal

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pons asinorum¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from Latin pōns asinōrum “bridge of asses”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pons asinorum¹

Latin: bridge of asses, referring originally to the fifth proposition of the first book of Euclid, which was considered difficult for students to learn

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Example Sentences

The story is told that one of his pupils, arrived perhaps at the pons asinorum, asked, "What do I get by learning these things?"

From Project Gutenberg

The famous pons asinorum had become the bridge between two worlds.

From Project Gutenberg

Thats as easy as pons asinorum to say, but not so easy to do, commented number six—Billie Burden.

From Project Gutenberg

The goal of Socialism, so far as it relates to this pons asinorum of shortening hours, is simply the right to loaf.

From Project Gutenberg

Ay, there is the pons asinorum, the bridge whereon young asses and old fools come to such terrible grief.

From Project Gutenberg

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