traverse
traverse Lexical Profile
traverse Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To travel or move across, over, or through an area, region, or obstacle.
"Early explorers had to traverse vast stretches of uncharted desert to reach the coast."
To move laterally or back and forth across a slope or surface, especially in climbing, skiing, or pivoting a mechanical instrument.
"The skiers decided to traverse diagonally across the mountain face to avoid the steepest moguls."
To examine, discuss, or consider the whole extent of a subject thoroughly.
"In her keynote lecture, the historian will traverse the complex economic causes of the industrial shift."
To formally deny or oppose an allegation of fact in a legal pleading.
"Defense counsel filed a brief to traverse the factual claims presented in the plaintiff's complaint."
• noun
An act of passing or moving across, over, or through an area, especially a sideways movement across a steep slope in mountaineering or skiing.
"The climbers completed a careful traverse across the icy ridge before descending into the valley."
A series of connected survey lines whose lengths and angles are measured to determine the relative positions of points on the ground.
"The land surveyors established a closed traverse around the perimeter of the construction site."
A structure, beam, gallery, or barrier placed crosswise, such as a crosspiece in architecture or a protective earthwork in a trench.
"The medieval cathedral features a narrow stone traverse overlooking the main nave."
• adjective
Lying, extending, or acting across; set crosswise or at an angle.
"The carpenter installed a traverse beam across the ceiling to reinforce the roof structure."
• Rhymes for traverse
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French traverser, from Late Latin transversare ('to cross or throw across'), derived from Latin transversus ('turned across'), from trans- ('across') and vertere ('to turn').