# cathetus

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkæ.θɪ.təs/

## Definitions
1. A line perpendicular to a surface (or line); in particular, either of the sides of a right triangle other than its hypotenuse.

## Etymology
From Latin cathetus, from Ancient Greek κάθετος (káthetos, “perpendicular”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cathetus