Definition of traverse
traversed
;traversing
transitive verb
1a : to go or travel across or overb : to move or pass along or through light rays traversing a crystal
2 : to make a study of : examine
3 : to lie or extend across : cross the bridge traverses a brook
4a : to move to and fro over or alongb : to ascend, descend, or cross (a slope or gap) at an anglec : to move (a gun) to right or left on a pivot
5a : to go against or act in opposition to : oppose, thwartb : to deny (something, such as an allegation of fact or an indictment) formally at law
6 : to make or carry out a survey of by using traverses
intransitive verb
1 : to move back and forth or from side to side
2 : to move or turn laterally : swivel
traverser
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
Origin and Etymology of traverse
Middle English, from Anglo-French traverser, from Late Latin transversare, from Latin transversus
Definition of traverse
1 : something that crosses or lies across
3 : a formal denial of a matter of fact alleged by the opposing party in a legal pleading
4a : a compartment or recess formed by a partition, curtain, or screenb : a gallery or loft providing access from one side to another in a large building
5 : a route or way across or over: such asa : a zigzag course of a sailing ship with contrary windsb : a curving or zigzag way up a steep gradec : the course followed in traversing
6 : the act or an instance of traversing : crossing
7 : a protective projecting wall or bank of earth in a trench
8a : a lateral movement (as of the saddle of a lathe carriage); also : a device for imparting such movementb : the lateral movement of a gun about a pivot or on a carriage to change direction of fire
Examples of traverse in a Sentence
The candidates traversed the state throughout the campaign.
The river traverses the county.
Origin and Etymology of traverse
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 1traverse — more at 1transverse
First Known Use of traverse
15th century
TRAVERSE Defined for English Language Learners
TRAVERSE Defined for Kids
traverse
playDefinition of traverse for Students
traversed
;traversing
: to pass through, across, or over
Law Dictionary
Legal Definition of traverse
: a denial of a matter of fact alleged in the opposing party's pleadings; also : a pleading in which such a denial is made
Legal Definition of traverse
: to deny (as an allegation of fact or an indictment) in a legal proceeding
Origin and Etymology of traverse
Anglo-French traverser, literally, to lay across, bar, impede, from Old French, from Late Latin transversare to cross, from Latin transversus lying across
Learn More about traverse
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See words that rhyme with traverse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for traverse Spanish Central: Translation of traverse Nglish: Translation of traverse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of traverse for Arabic speakers
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