pons asinorum
[ as-uh-nawr-uh m, -nohr- ]
/ ˌæs əˈnɔr əm, -ˈnoʊr- /
noun
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.
Origin of pons asinorum
First recorded in 1745–55,
pons asinorum is from the Latin word
pōns asinōrum bridge of asses
Words nearby pons asinorum
pongidae,
pongo,
poniard,
ponograph,
pons,
pons asinorum,
pons varolii,
ponselle,
pont,
pont l'évêque,
ponta delgada
British Dictionary definitions for pons asinorum
pons asinorum
/ (ˌæsɪˈnɔːrəm) /
noun
the geometric proposition that the angles opposite the two equal sides of an isosceles triangle are equal
Word Origin for pons asinorum
Latin: bridge of asses, referring originally to the fifth proposition of the first book of Euclid, which was considered difficult for students to learn