pons asinorum
/ˌasɪˈnɔːrəm
/noun
The point at which many learners fail, especially a theory or formula that is difficult to grasp.After he had mastered the fifth proposition as easily as its predecessors, Frank told him that people generally found it difficult - it is the famous pons asinorum which puts a stop to many a budding geometrical career....
- It is the pons asinorum of the relationship between economics and politics.
- We used to read the first book of Euclid as far as pons asinorum; but regularly as we reached the dreadful pass we were turned back for a revisal.
Origin
Mid 18th century: Latin, literally 'bridge of asses', term taken from the fifth proposition of the first book of Euclid.
Rhymes
- work-loom
- workman
- workmanlike
- workmanly
- workman's club
- workmanship
- workmaster
- workmate
- work measurement
- workmen's club
- work-minded
- work-mindedness
- workmistress
- work name
- work of art
- work one's ass (butt, etc.) off
- work one's fingers to the bone
- work one's passage
- work one's way through university (or college, etc.)
- work one's way up
- work one's will on/upon
- work (or do) wonders
- work (or run) oneself into the ground
- work out
- workout