hypotenuse

American  

[hahy-pot-n-oos, -yoos] / haɪˈpɒt nˌus, -ˌyus /

noun

Geometry.

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

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hypotenuse British  

/ haɪˈpɒtɪˌnjuːz /

noun

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

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hypotenuse Scientific  

/ 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.

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hypotenuse Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of hypotenuse

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

Example Sentences

That is also the value of V, which can be thought of as the hypotenuse, and hence of V2.

From Scientific American

Milwaukee is not the only hypotenuse in Chicago.

From Scientific American

Early mathematicians recognized that when three squares occurred in arithmetic progression this way, the square root of the middle number — in this case, 5 — is the hypotenuse of the right triangle.

From Scientific American

Now you don’t have to worry about anything when you divide the side length by the length of the hypotenuse because the hypotenuse is 1 unit long.

From Scientific American

From his perch, Paddock was firing down the hypotenuse of a right triangle and would have to adjust his aim for the arc of the bullet — a skill that would require training.

From Los Angeles Times