/huy pot"n oohs', -yoohs'/ , n. Geom.
the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.
Also, hypothenuse .
[ 1565-75; earlier hypotenusa hypotenusa hypoteínousa ( grámme ) subtending (line) (fem. prp. of hypoteínein to subtend), equiv. to hypo- HYPO- + tein- stretch (see THIN) + -ousa fem. prp. suffix ]