First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1traverse
noun tra·verse \ˈtra-vərs also -ˌvərs, especially for 6 & 8 also trə-ˈ or tra-ˈ\
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
4
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 building
5
: 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 : crossing
7
: a protective projecting wall or bank of earth in a trench
8
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 fire
9
: a line surveyed across a plot of ground
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Origin 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 2traverse — more at transverse
2traverse
verb tra·verse \trə-ˈvərs also tra-ˈ or ˈtra-(ˌ)\
: to move across (an area)
tra·versedtra·vers·ing
Full Definition of TRAVERSE
transitive verb
1
2
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 : examine
4
: 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 pivot
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
3
a : to climb at an angle or in a zigzag course b : to ski across rather than straight down a hill
4
: to make a survey by using traverses
— tra·vers·able \-ˈvər-sə-bəl, -(ˌ)vər-\ adjective
— tra·vers·er noun
See traverse defined for English-language learners
Origin of TRAVERSE
Middle English, from Anglo-French traverser, from Late Latin transversare, from Latin transversus
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to TRAVERSE
- Synonyms
- course, cover, cross, cut (across), follow, go, navigate, pass (over), perambulate, peregrinate, proceed (along), track, transit, travel
3traverse
adjective tra·verse \ˈtra-(ˌ)vərs, trə-ˈ, tra-ˈ\
TRAVERSES Defined for Kids
traverse
verb tra·verse \trə-ˈvərs\
tra·versedtra·vers·ing
Definition of TRAVERSE for Kids
: to pass through, across, or over
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