Main Entry:

²tra·verse

Pronunciation:

\trə-ˈvərs also tra-ˈ or ˈtra-(ˌ)\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

tra·versed; tra·vers·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French traverser, from Late Latin transversare, from Latin transversus

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to go against or act in opposition to : oppose, thwart b: to deny (as an allegation of fact or an indictment) formally at law2 a: to go or travel across or over b: to move or pass along or through <light rays traversing a crystal>3: to make a study of : examine4: to lie or extend across : cross <the bridge traverses a brook>5 a: to move to and fro over or along b: to ascend, descend, or cross (a slope or gap) at an angle c: to move (a gun) to right or left on a pivot6: to make or carry out a survey of by using traversesintransitive verb1: to move back and forth or from side to side2: to move or turn laterally : swivel3 a: to climb at an angle or in a zigzag course b: to ski across rather than straight down a hill4: to make a survey by using traverses

— tra·vers·able \-ˈvər-sə-bəl, -(ˌ)vər-\ adjective

— tra·vers·er noun