transverse

American  

[trans-vurs, tranz-, trans-vurs, tranz-] / trænsˈvɜrs, trænz-, ˈtræns vɜrs, ˈtrænz- /

adjective

1. lying or extending across or in a cross direction; cross.

2. (of a flute) having a mouth hole in the side of the tube, near its end, across which the player's breath is directed.

3. (of an automotive engine) mounted with the crankshaft oriented sideways.

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noun

1. something that is transverse.

2. Nautical. web frame.

3. Geometry. transverse axis.

4. a city road that cuts through a park or other area of light traffic; shortcut.

transverse British  

/ trænzˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. crossing from side to side; athwart; crossways

2. geometry denoting the axis that passes through the foci of a hyperbola

3. (of a flute, etc) held almost at right angles to the player's mouth, so that the breath passes over a hole in the side to create a vibrating air column within the tube of the instrument

4. astronomy another word for tangential

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noun

1. a transverse piece or object

Other Word Forms

• subtransverse adjective
• subtransversely adverb
• transversely adverb
• transverseness noun

Etymology

Origin of transverse

First recorded in 1610–20, transverse is from the Latin word trānsversus going or lying across, athwart. See traverse

Related Words

• across
• cross
• transversal