Main Entry:

¹tra·verse

Pronunciation:

\ˈtra-vərs also -ˌvərs, especially for 6 & 8 also trə-ˈ or tra-ˈ\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English travers, from Anglo-French travers (as in a travers, de travers across), from Latin transversum (as in in transversum set crosswise), neuter of transversus lying across; senses 5–9 in part from ²traverse — more at transverse

Date:

14th century

1: something that crosses or lies across2: obstacle, adversity3: a formal denial of a matter of fact alleged by the opposing party in a legal pleading4 a: a compartment or recess formed by a partition, curtain, or screen b: a gallery or loft providing access from one side to another in a large building5: a route or way across or over: as a: a zigzag course of a sailing ship with contrary winds b: a curving or zigzag way up a steep grade c: the course followed in traversing 6: the act or an instance of traversing : crossing7: a protective projecting wall or bank of earth in a trench8 a: a lateral movement (as of the saddle of a lathe carriage) ; also : a device for imparting such movement b: the lateral movement of a gun about a pivot or on a carriage to change direction of fire9: a line surveyed across a plot of ground