I. ˈtra-vərs also -ˌvərs, especially for 6 & 8 also trə-ˈ or tra-ˈ 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 traverse (II) — more at transverse
Date: 14th century
1. : something that crosses or lies across
2. : obstacle , adversity
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
II. trə-ˈvərs also tra-ˈ or ˈtra-(ˌ) verb
( tra·versed ; tra·vers·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French traverser, from Late Latin transversare, from Latin transversus
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to go against or act in opposition to : oppose , thwart
b. : to deny (as an allegation of fact or an indictment) formally at law
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 traverse s 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
III. ˈtra-(ˌ)vərs, trə-ˈ, tra-ˈ adjective
Date: 15th century
: lying across : transverse