traverse Meaning & Definition
What Does Traverse Mean?
Traverse is a noun that means A route used in mountaineering, specifically rock climbing, in which the descent occurs by a different route than the ascent. It is also used to mean A series of points, with angles and distances measured between, traveled around a subject, usually for use as "control" i.e. angular reference system for later surveying work. As a verb, it means To travel across, to go through, to pass through, particularly under difficult conditions. As an adverb, it means athwart; across; crosswise.
Word Facts for Traverse
| Part of speech | noun, verb, adverb, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /tɹəˈvɝs/ |
| Synonyms | sweep, cover and track |
| Plural | traverses |
| Comparative / superlative | more traverse, most traverse |
| Verb forms | traverses, traversing, traversed |
Traverse Definition (Noun)
- A route used in mountaineering, specifically rock climbing, in which the descent occurs by a different route than the ascent.
- A series of points, with angles and distances measured between, traveled around a subject, usually for use as "control" i.e. angular reference system for later surveying work.
- A screen or partition.
- Something that thwarts or obstructs.
He will succeed, as long as there are no unlucky traverses not under his control.
- A gallery or loft of communication from side to side of a church or other large building.
- A formal denial of some matter of fact alleged by the opposite party in any stage of the pleadings. The technical words introducing a traverse are absque hoc ("without this", i.e. without what follows).
- The zigzag course or courses made by a ship in passing from one place to another; a compound course.
- A line lying across a figure or other lines; a transversal.
- In trench warfare, a defensive trench built to prevent enfilade.
- A traverse board.
- ↑ 1838, John Henry Parker, A Glossary of Terms Used in Grecian, Roman, Italian, and Gothic Architecture
Traverse as a Verb
- To travel across, to go through, to pass through, particularly under difficult conditions.
He will have to traverse the mountain to get to the other side.
- To visit all parts of; to explore thoroughly.
to traverse all nodes in a network
- To lay in a cross direction; to cross.
- To rotate a gun around a vertical axis to bear upon a military target.
to traverse a cannon
- To climb or descend a steep hill at a wide angle (relative to the slope).
- To (make a cutting, an incline) across the gradients of a sloped face at safe rate.
the road traversed the face of the ridge as the right-of-way climbed the mountain
- To act against; to thwart or obstruct.
- To pass over and view; to survey carefully.
- To plane in a direction across the grain of the wood.
to traverse a board
- To deny formally.
- To use the motions of opposition or counteraction.
Traverse as an Adverb
- athwart; across; crosswise
Traverse as an Adjective
- Lying across; being in a direction across something else.
paths cut with traverse trenches
Verb
- To travel across, often under difficult conditions.
He will have to traverse the mountain to get to the other side.
- (artillery) To rotate a gun around a vertical axis to bear upon a military target.
to traverse a cannon
Synonyms of Traverse
Traverse in a Sentence
He will succeed, as long as there are no unlucky traverses not under his control.
He will have to traverse the mountain to get to the other side.
to traverse all nodes in a network
to traverse a cannon
the road traversed the face of the ridge as the right-of-way climbed the mountain
The last run, weary, I traversed the descents in no hurry to reach the lodge.
to traverse a board
paths cut with traverse trenches
Word Forms & Grammar
traverse (plural traverses)
traverse (third-person singular simple present traverses, present participle traversing, simple past and past participle traversed)
traverse (comparative more traverse, superlative most traverse)
Words That Rhyme With Traverse
Origin of Traverse
From Middle English traversen, from Old French traverser, from Latin trans (“across”) + versus (“turned”), perfect passive participle of Latin vertere (“to turn”).
Frequently Asked Questions About Traverse
Is traverse a noun or a verb?
Traverse is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb, an adverb and an adjective.
What is another word for traverse?
You can replace traverse with words such as sweep, cover and track. See the full list of traverse synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of traverse?
The plural of traverse is traverses.
What is the past tense of traverse?
The past tense of traverse is traversed. The present participle is traversing.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of traverse?
The comparative form is more traverse and the superlative form is most traverse.