Definition:Isosceles/Linguistic Note

Linguistic Note on Isosceles

The word isosceles comes from the Greek: $\iota \sigma \omicron \sigma \kappa \epsilon \lambda \epsilon \varsigma$, that is: from iso meaning equal, and skelos meaning leg.

Thus an isosceles triangle is literally an equal-leg triangle.

It is pronounced eye-sos-ell-eez, that is, with the emphasis on the second syllable. Note that the c is silent.

The word skeleton comes from the same linguistic root.