‖ cathetus
(ˈkæθɪtəs)
Also kath-.
[a. L. cathetus, a. Gr. κάθετος (sc. γραµµή) a perpendicular line, κάθετος adj. ‘let down, perpendicular’, f. καθιέναι to let down.]
A straight line falling perpendicularly on another straight line or surface.
| 1571 Digges Pantom. iv. Def. 20 It shal be named the Axis or Kathetus of that body. 1622 Peacham Gentl. Exerc. i. xi. (1634) 38. 1676 Baker in Rigaud Corr. Sc. Men (1841) II. 13 Having the cathetus of the first and the common hypotenuse given, to find the cathetus of the simple angle. 1751 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Cathetus of Incidence..a right line drawn from a radiant point, perpendicular to the reflecting line, or the plane of the speculum, or mirror. Cathetus of Reflexion, etc. 1817 Colebrooke Algebra 59 The cóti or upright is the cathetus. 1875 Gwilt Archit. Gloss. Cathetus, a perpendicular line passing through the centre of a cylindrical body as a baluster or a column. It is also a line falling perpendicularly, and passing through the centre or eye of the volute of the Ionic capital. |