traverse

traverse [trə vʉrs′, trav′ərs; ] for n. [, ] adj. [, & ] adv. [, trav′ərs, trə vʉrs′]

vt.

traversed, traversing [ME traversen < OFr traverser < VL < * transversare < L transversus, pp. of transvertere, to turn across < trans-, TRANS- + vertere, to turn: see VERSE]

1.

a) to pass, move, or extend over, across, or through; cross

b) to go back and forth over or along; cross and recross

2. to go counter to; oppose; thwart

3. to survey, inspect, or examine carefully

4. to turn (a gun, lathe, etc.) laterally; swivel

5. to make a traverse of in surveying

6. Law

a) to deny or contradict formally (something alleged by the opposing party in a lawsuit)

b) to join issue upon (an indictment) or upon the validity of (an inquest of office)

7. Naut. to brace (a yard) fore and aft

vi.

1. to move across; cross over

2. to move back and forth over a place, etc.; cross and recross

3. to swivel or pivot

4. to move across a mountain slope, as in skiing, in an oblique direction

5. to make a traverse in surveying

6. Fencing to move one's blade toward the opponent's hilt while pressing one's foil hard against the opponent's foil

n.

traverse

1. something that traverses or crosses; specif.,

a) a line that intersects others

b) a crossbar, crosspiece, crossbeam, transom, etc.

c) a parapet or wall of earth, etc. across a rampart or trench

d) a gallery, loft, etc. crossing a building

e) a single line of survey across a plot, region, etc.

f) Obs. a screen, curtain, etc. placed crosswise

2. Now Rare something that opposes or thwarts; obstacle

3. the act or an instance of traversing; specif.,

a) a passing across or through; crossing

b) a lateral, pivoting, oblique, or zigzagging movement

4. a part, device, etc. that causes a traversing movement

5. a passage by which one may cross; way across

6.

a) a zigzagging course or route taken by a vessel, as in sailing against the wind

b) a single leg of such a course

7. a formal denial in a lawsuit

adj.

traverse [ME travers < OFr < L transversus: see TRAVERSE the vt.]

1. passing or extending across; transverse

2. designating or of drapes (and the rods and hooks for them) usually hung in pairs that can be drawn together or apart by pulling a cord at the side

adv.

traverse

Obs. across; crosswise

traversable

adj.

traversal

n.

traverser

n.