n. & v.
n. 1 the act or process of going, conveying, or being conveyed, esp. over a distance (transit by rail; made a transit of the lake). 2 a passage or route (the overland transit). 3 a the apparent passage of a celestial body across the meridian of a place. b such an apparent passage across the sun or a planet. 4 US the local conveyance of passengers on public routes.
v. (transited, transiting) 1 tr. make a transit across. 2 intr. make a transit. in transit while going or being conveyed. transit camp a camp for the temporary accommodation of soldiers, refugees, etc. transit-circle (or -instrument) an instrument for observing the transit of a celestial body across the meridian. transit-compass (or -theodolite) a surveyor's instrument for measuring a horizontal angle. transit-duty duty paid on goods passing through a country. transit lounge a lounge at an airport for passengers waiting between flights. transit visa a visa allowing only passage through a country.
[ ME f. L transitus f. transire (as TRANSIENT) ]