traverse

[ trav-ers, truh-vurs ]

verb (used with object)

, trav·ersed, trav·ers·ing.

1. to pass or move over, along, or through.

   Synonyms: cross

2. to go to and fro over or along.
3. to extend across or over:

   A bridge traverses the stream.

4. to go up, down, or across (a rope, mountain, hill, etc.) at an angle:

   The climbers traversed the east face of the mountain.

5. to ski across (a hill or slope).
6. to cause to move laterally.
7. to look over, examine, or consider carefully; survey; consider.
8. to go counter to; obstruct; thwart.
9. to contradict or deny.

   Synonyms: challenge, dispute, gainsay

10. Law.
    1. (in the law of pleading) to deny formally (an allegation of fact set forth in a previous pleading).
    2. to join issue upon.
11. to turn and point (a gun) in any direction.

verb (used without object)

, trav·ersed, trav·ers·ing.

1. to pass along or go across something; cross:

   a point in the river where we could traverse.

2. to ski across a hill or slope on a diagonal.
3. to turn laterally, as a gun.
4. Fencing. to glide the blade toward the hilt of the contestant's foil while applying pressure to the blade.

noun

1. the act of passing across, over, or through.
2. something that crosses, obstructs, or thwarts; obstacle.
3. a transversal or similar line.
4. a place where one may traverse or cross; crossing.
5. Architecture. a transverse gallery or loft of communication in a church or other large building.
6. a bar, strip, rod, or other structural part placed or extending across; crosspiece; crossbar.
7. a railing, lattice, or screen serving as a barrier.
8. Nautical.
   1. the zigzag track of a vessel compelled by contrary winds or currents to sail on different courses.
   2. each of the runs in a single direction made in such sailing.
9. Fortification.
   1. a defensive barrier, parapet, or the like, placed transversely.
   2. a defensive barrier thrown across the terreplein or the covered way of a fortification to protect it from enfilade fire.
10. Gunnery. the horizontal turning of a gun so as to make it point in any required direction.
11. Machinery.
    1. the motion of a lathe tool or grinding wheel along a piece of work.
    2. a part moving along a piece of work in this way, as the carriage of a lathe.
12. Surveying. a series of intersecting surveyed lines whose lengths and angles of intersection, measured at instrument stations, are recorded graphically on a map and in numerical form in data tables. Compare closed traverse.
13. Law. a formal denial of some matter of fact alleged by the other side.

adjective

1. lying, extending, or passing across; transverse.

traverse

/ trəˈvɜːs; ˈtrævɜːs /

verb

1. to pass or go over or back and forth over (something); cross
2. tr to go against; oppose; obstruct
3. to move or cause to move sideways or crosswise
4. tr to extend or reach across
5. to turn (an artillery gun) laterally on its pivot or mount or (of an artillery gun) to turn laterally
6. tr to look over or examine carefully
7. tr law to deny (an allegation of fact), as in pleading
8. intr fencing to slide one's blade towards an opponent's hilt while applying pressure against his blade
9. mountaineering to move across (a face) horizontally
10. tr nautical to brace (a yard) fore and aft

noun

1. something being or lying across, such as a transom
2. a gallery or loft inside a building that crosses it
3. maths another name for transversal
4. an obstruction or hindrance
5. fortifications a protective bank or other barrier across a trench or rampart
6. a railing, screen, or curtain
7. the act or an instance of traversing or crossing
8. a path or road across
9. nautical the zigzag course of a vessel tacking frequently
10. law the formal denial of a fact alleged in the opposite party's pleading
11. surveying a survey consisting of a series of straight lines, the length of each and the angle between them being measured
12. mountaineering a horizontal move across a face

adjective

1. being or lying across; transverse

adverb

1. an archaic word for across

Derived Forms

• traˈversal, noun
• ˈtraversable, adjective
• ˈtraverser, noun

Other Words From

• tra·vers·a·ble adjective
• tra·vers·al noun
• tra·vers·er noun
• non·tra·vers·a·ble adjective
• re·trav·erse verb retraversed retraversing
• un·tra·vers·a·ble adjective
• un·trav·ersed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of traverse¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English traversen, from Middle French traverser ”to cross,” from Late Latin trānsversāre, derivative of Latin trānsversus ( trans-, versus ); (noun) Middle English travers(e), from Middle French traverse (from Latin trānsversa “something lying across,” feminine of trānsversus ) and travers (from Latin trānsversum passage across, neuter of trānsversus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of traverse¹

C14: from Old French traverser , from Late Latin trānsversāre , from Latin trānsversus transverse

Example Sentences

Bawumia has been traversing north, south, east and west in what he calls the "possibilities bus", a blue and red campaign vehicle emblazoned with the slogan "it is possible".

From BBC

More than 41,000 years ago, humans traversed a strip of land that once joined the mainland of Australia to what is today the island of Tasmania, called Lutruwita by its Indigenous inhabitants today.

From Science Magazine

In fact, over the last two decades, Schneider, 51, has traversed the length of Los Angeles on foot 18 times, covering nearly 300 miles in all during those journeys.

From Los Angeles Times

The deep ravine which traverses the town had reportedly been filling with water since Tuesday afternoon following heavy rains.

From BBC

As the ball traversed the October sky, Freeman raised his bat high over his head as if it were a torch.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• criss-cross
• cross
• cut across
• pass through
• span
• travel over