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traverse Definition

tra·verse (trə vʉrs′, trav′ərs; for n., adj., & adv., trav′ərs, trə vʉrs′)

transitive verb -·versed′, -·vers′·ing

    1. to pass, move, or extend over, across, or through; cross
    2. to go back and forth over or along; cross and recross
  2. to go counter to; oppose; thwart
  3. to survey, inspect, or examine carefully
  4. to turn (a gun, lathe, etc.) laterally; swivel
  5. to make a traverse of in surveying
  6. Law
    1. to deny or contradict formally (something alleged by the opposing party in a lawsuit)
    2. to join issue upon (an indictment) or upon the validity of (an inquest of office)
  7. Naut. to brace (a yard) fore and aft

Etymology: ME traversen < OFr traverser < VL < *transversare < L transversus, pp. of transvertere, to turn across < trans-, trans- + vertere, to turn: see verse

intransitive verb

  1. to move across; cross over
  2. to move back and forth over a place, etc.; cross and recross
  3. to swivel or pivot
  4. to move across a mountain slope, as in skiing, in an oblique direction
  5. to make a traverse in surveying
  6. Fencing to move one's blade toward the opponent's hilt while pressing one's foil hard against the opponent's foil

noun trav′·erse

  1. something that traverses or crosses; specif.,
    1. a line that intersects others
    2. a crossbar, crosspiece, crossbeam, transom, etc.
    3. a parapet or wall of earth, etc. across a rampart or trench
    4. a gallery, loft, etc. crossing a building
    5. a single line of survey across a plot, region, etc.
    6. Obsolete a screen, curtain, etc. placed crosswise
  2. Now Rare something that opposes or thwarts; obstacle
  3. the act or an instance of traversing; specif.,
    1. a passing across or through; crossing
    2. a lateral, pivoting, oblique, or zigzagging movement
  4. a part, device, etc. that causes a traversing movement
  5. a passage by which one may cross; way across
    1. a zigzagging course or route taken by a vessel, as in sailing against the wind
    2. a single leg of such a course
  7. a formal denial in a lawsuit

adjective trav′·erse

  1. passing or extending across; transverse
  2. designating or of drapes (and the rods and hooks for them) usually hung in pairs that can be drawn together or apart by pulling a cord at the side

Etymology: ME travers < OFr < L transversus: see traversethe

adverb trav′·erse

Obsolete across; crosswise

traverse Related Forms
tra·vers′·able adjective tra·vers′al noun tra·vers′er noun
traverse Synonyms

traverse

v.

cross over, move over, pass through; see cross 1.

traverse Law Definition

n

A pleading in common law denying an allegation of fact in an adversary’s pleading or contesting that the adversary lacked adequate knowledge to make such an allegation in the first place. See also denial.
general traverse
A flat denial of all of the allegations in the pleadings of one’s adversary.
special traverse
A denial of one alleged fact that is not absolute, but that seeks to explain it away or qualify it by virtue of special circumstances, such as an inducement that can be verified.
traverse Usage Examples

Object

  • hump: In June 2006, a wheel fell off a bus as it was traversing speed humps on Dunnet Road in Plymouth.
  • terrain: Introductory Off-Road Driving - £ 129 At these off-road centers you will traverse terrain you wouldn't have thought possible.
  • globe: Cooking the books From Ireland to India, Caroline Boucher traverses the globe in search of the best new year cookbooks.
  • expanse: Four massive roads branch out from here, traversing the large expanses within Sable's city walls.
  • ridge: We traversed the ridge of a mountain that must have some of the finest views anywhere - a real treat in the fantastic weather.
  • slope: Then we learned to traverse icy slopes using crampons, kicking steps in snow or hacking them out in ice with an ax.

Converse of object

  • expose: Finish at Ashen's lower off via an exposed traverse.
  • rise: Climb Hutch to the bulge, then make a delicate rising traverse to reach a white ledge.

Adjective modifier

  • Tyrolean: The Medran Parc offers 800m of hanging bridges, Tyrolean traverses, rope ladders and assisted climbs.
  • awkward: After an awkward traverse to the top of the pitch, Duncan rigged it and we descended.
  • closed: Closed traverses created a framework on which to hang the data.
  • short: At the end of a short, wide traverse we came to a boulder blockage.

Modifies a noun

  • handwheel: The device was mounted directly above the apron traverse handwheel on a raised rectangular boss.
  • R: Clip it's first PR then traverse R on good holds to the arete.
  • line: I have fitted a traverse line here, of good quality climbing rope.

Modifying Another Word

  • rightwards: Cross to the Pinnacle's E face, traversing airily rightwards into a corner.

Noun used with modifier

  • girdle: Move up right and ascend slanting ledges to the ledge on the girdle traverse ( peg runner ).
  • ridge: This reduces the amount of effort required to undertake what is without doubt the most taxing ridge traverse in the British Isles.
  • bolt: A bolt traverse over the pitch on the left revealed nothing.

Preposition: of

  • ridge: The final part of the climb being a traverse of the summit ridge which in itself is worth a visit.