*hypothenuse*

{ , n. [ L. hypotenusa, Gr. &unr_;, prob., subtending (sc. &unr_;), fr. &unr_; to stretch under, subtend; &unr_; under + &unr_; to stretch. See Subtend. ] (Geom.) The side of a right-angled triangle that is opposite to the right angle. [ 1913 Webster ]