Main Entry: tran·som

Pronunciation: \ˈtran(t)-səm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English transyn, traunsom, probably alteration of traversayn, from Middle French travessain, from Old French traversain set crosswise, from Vulgar Latin *traversanus, from Latin transversus transverse

Date: 14th century

1 : a transverse piece in a structure : crosspiece: as a : lintel b : a horizontal crossbar in a window, over a door, or between a door and a window or fanlight above it c : the horizontal bar or member of a cross or gallows d : any of several transverse timbers or beams secured to the sternpost of a boat; also : the planking forming the stern of a square-ended boat
2 : a window above a door or other window built on and commonly hinged to a transom

— over the transom : without solicitation or prior arrangement <the manuscript arrived over the transom>

[transom illustration]