| 释义 |
traversen.  Brit.  /ˈtravəs/, /ˈtravəːs/, /trəˈvəːs/, U.S. /ˈtrævərs/, /trəˈvərs/Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French travers; French traverse. Etymology: Partly (i) < Anglo-Norman and Middle French travers, masculine (French travers , also (regional) travais , travars , travé ) action of traversing a territory, journey (c1210 in Old French), toll paid for passing through the limits of a town, over a bridge, etc. (1213), in Anglo-Norman also denial of an allegation made by the opposing party in law (early 14th cent. or earlier) < classical Latin trāversus , variant of transversus transverse adj., and partly (ii) < Anglo-Norman and Middle French, French traverse (feminine) crossing (13th cent. in Anglo-Norman, late 14th cent. in continental French), route, path (14th cent.), obstacle, hindrance (mid 14th cent.), crosspiece, cross-beam (late 14th cent.), short cut (c1433), difficulty, trouble (c1460), earthen parapet around a fortification (early 16th cent. in the passage translated in quot. 1524 at sense 8), gallery linking parts of a building (1532), journey (1559), stretch of water that is difficult to navigate (1637 in the passage translated in quot. a1645 at sense 17b), partly < post-classical Latin traversa (attested in the 13th cent. in the sense ‘crossroad’, although probably much older), variant of transversa , use as noun of feminine past participle of classical Latin transvertere transvert v., and partly < traverser traverse v. Compare trevis n. Compare also earlier traverse v. and slightly later traverse adj.Parallels in Romance languages other than French. Compare: (i) post-classical Latin traversum toll for passing or crossing, right to collect such a toll (11th cent.; from 12th cent. in British sources), Old Occitan travers , Catalan través , Portuguese travês , Italian traverso (all 14th cent.), Spanish través (early 15th cent.; the Italian is attested earliest in per traverso across, the Spanish in al través , both in the sense ‘crosswise’); (ii) Old Occitan traversa obstacle, hindrance (13th cent.), Catalan travessa (mid 17th cent.), Portuguese travessa (15th cent.), Italian traversa (14th cent.), all earliest in the sense ‘cross-beam, crosspiece’. Specific forms. With the β. forms, which arose from reduction of the second syllable, compare the discussion of the stress position at traverse v. For the noun both first-syllable stress and second-syllable stress are attested early on (with the latter, compare e.g. quot. a1393 at sense 1). Specific senses. With sense 10 compare post-classical Latin transversum (13th cent. in a British source in this sense). In sense 11 probably an error for reverse n. (compare sense 2a(a) at that entry). With sense 15b compare the following earlier quots., which probably show the Anglo-Norman rather than the Middle English word in a Latin context:1284 Inquisition Post Mortem (P.R.O.: C 133/40) No. 6 Item de quadam consuetudine que vocatur Trauers, et valet per annum .iij. s.1347 Inquisition Post Mortem (P.R.O.: C 135/86) m. 15 Est apud Brandone quedam custuma vocata trauers que est parcella..manerij Thefford. Earlier use as surname. Attested earlier as a surname, e.g. Trauers (1086), Radulf Travers (1166), Walter Travers (1172), Robert Travers (also Traues, Trauerse) (a1189), John le Travers (1285), etc., probably implying earlier currency of the Anglo-Norman noun, although it is uncertain in which sense. See further discussion in P. Hanks et al. Oxf. Dict. Family Names Brit. & Ireland (2016) at Travis. I. Senses relating to opposition, dispute, etc. the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > [noun] > one who or that which hinders > a hindrance, impediment, or obstacle the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck > an untoward occurrence a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) viii. l. 3158 His nature is so divers, That it hath evere som travers Or of to moche or of to lite. 1538 D. Lindsay sig. C What trauars, trouble, and calamite Hath ben in court Within this hundreth yeares. 1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard i. i. 34 He could not overcome those traverses, and difficulties, that his Majesties enemies still strew'd in his way. 1703 W. Penn in (1870) IX. 252 It is my lot to meet with traverses and disappointments. 1900 J. Morley iii. 48 In days of fierce duress, of endless traverses and toils. 2. Law and in legal contexts. society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > pleading > [noun] > a pleading or plea > denial or contradiction 1405 in H. M. Flasdieck (1926) 36 (MED) Also the forsaide Baillies, Burgeys, and Comuners shul graunte to the forsaid sir Roger that thei shul pursue as moche as in hem is, at her owen costages, to the kynges concell and to his courtes for the procedendo of the assis, and also for the trauers [v.r. trauace] of an office..And after þat procedendo and trauers aforsaid grauntyd..alle the remanauntz of the costagez shul lyen on the forsayd sir [Roger] onelych. 1459 Petition in (1767–77) V. 371/1 Jugement [was] yeven for the Kyng, in the said traverse. 1647 N. Bacon 66 That King put a Judge to death for sentencing one to suffer death upon the Coroners record, without allowing the delinquent liberty of traverse. 1780 E. Burke 13 His plea or traverse may be allowed as an answer to a charge, when a charge is made. 1877 J. Morley 2nd Ser. 293 It is enough to meet them by a direct traverse, throwing the burden of proof upon them. 2007 37 350 The State filed a traverse that was procedurally inadequate. the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun] 1799 Index to Statutes at cited word in VIII No traverse in prox'. allowed to indictment for assaulting or obstructing navy or revenue officer. 1831 8 Feb. The policy of the Act 60th Geo. III., which took away the power of traverse in prox..was to obviate a great public mischief by taking away the power of postponing a trial. 1876 H. N. Mozley & G. C. Whiteley 456/2 Traverse of an indictment... The postponement of the trial of an indictment after a plea of not guilty thereto. 1908 H. Cohen (ed. 13) 167 Thus, the old traverse..is abolished, and misdemeanors are put on the same footing as felonies in this respect. †3. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > controversy, dispute, argument > [noun] > instance of 1415 in W. Hudson (1906) I. 94 Be dissensions trauerses [v.r. trawers] variaunces and discordes uppon diuers articles of longe tyme hangynge the Cite hath be diuided dissoyled and in poynt to ben distroyed. c1450 (c1405) (BL Add. 41666) (1936) l. 815 (MED) He..beste couthe suffre Whenne souurayns were assemblid to saye what þaym liked; He toke no maniere travers tenne yere to-gedre. 1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero i. f. 24 If ther bee a trauers in lawe: you shall rather defend your kinsman, and frend, than your neibour. society > society and the community > dissent > contention or strife > [noun] > an act or instance of > a hostile encounter society > authority > rule or government > politics > international politics or relations > [noun] > international tension 1640 J. Howell 200 I know not by what fate or fortune t'is come to passe, there have fallen out diverse traverses of Warre. 1654 T. Fuller Pref. sig. ¶ 3v Here may one behold the severall traverses of State betwixt the upholders of the Royall Prerogative & the Asserters of the Subjects Liberties. 1698 D. Jones To Reader There have been as frequent traverses of War as have happen'd between any two Nations. society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] 1599 T. Dallam Diary in J. T. Bent (1893) i. 25 The firste day of maye we saw there greatest traverses or sportes that they have in all the yeare. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta iv. xxxix. 315 The fooleries, trickes, traverses, and pleasant sportes they make when they are taught. II. Senses denoting or relating to something positioned transversely or crosswise. 5. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > screen > [noun] > other types of society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > covers or hangings > [noun] > hangings > curtain 1400 (P.R.O.: C 145/278/37) Item vij tapet' de alb' Worstede embraud' de nigris baculis Ragged. Item iij quirteyns cum j trauers de alb' tarteryn de eodem opere de Raggedstauis. a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) iii. l. 674 Here after soone The voyde dronke, and trauers [c1450 Harl. 2280 traueres] drawe anoon. c1500 (?a1437) (1939) lxxxii Ryght ouerthwert the chamber was there drawe A trevess thin and quhite. 1503 in J. B. Paul (1900) II. 203 For xvj elne taffeti to be ane trevis to the Kingis bed. 1610 S. Daniel Tethys Festival in sig. E2v On the Trauers which serued as a curtaine for the first Scene, was figured a darke cloude. 1706 G. Granville iii. i. 25 A Traverse is drawn discovering Amadis in Chains. 2008 D. Starkey (2009) iv. 61 Over the cradle hung a ‘sparver’ or canopy, while a traverse, or curtain, could be drawn round it. 1604 L. Andrewes sig. C2v Betweene the passioned powers of his soule, and whatsoeuer might any waies refresh him, there was a Trauerse drawen. 1655 37 It is the hanging of such Curtaines and Traverses before our Deeds which keep up our Reputation. the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > that which or one who closes or shuts > a barrier > [noun] 1477 in J. D. Marwick (1869) I. 35 Fra thine vpart to the treves the merkett of all cottone claith. 1655 H. L'Estrange 137 The Communion Table..to be placed at the East end,..with..a woodden traverse of railes before it, to keep Profanation off. 1659 H. L'Estrange 246 The Baptistery was parted in the middle with a skreen or traverse of wood, one division being alloted for the men, and the other for the women. 1870 D. Rock (S. Kensington Mus.) Introd. p. cxliii At top of and all along the travers ran the minstrel-gallery. 1949 J. E. Neale xviii. 350 Behind the..traverse or rail on either side of the throne, noblemen under age and noblemen's sons and heirs were permitted to stand. 7. society > faith > artefacts > division of building (general) > other parts > [noun] > traverse the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > [noun] > an enclosed space or place > compartment or chamber a1500 Inventory in (1890) 52 214 (MED) Se that hys [sc. the abbot's] sabatyns & syndalles be Redy att hys first cumyng whan he settyth hym downe in the travys. c1600 (1875) I. 46 The King..then went into the traves that was made for him at the alters end. 1633 W. Dell Form of Charles I his Coronation in W. Prynne (1660) (modernized text) 303 A little Traverse is to be made on the South side of the Altar.., for the King to..disrobe himself. 1902 11 Aug. 5/2 In St. Edward's Chapel ‘traverses’, or dressing-rooms, had been curtained off for the use of the King and Queen. 2008 21 62 Its chapel also contained a traverse, in this case a small private, curtained balcony. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > [noun] > frame to hold horse a1825 R. Forby (1830) Traverse, a smith's shoeing shed. 1875 W. D. Parish Traverse..the place adjoining a blacksmith's shop where horses are shod. society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > barricade > [noun] society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > [noun] > parapet > types of society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > [noun] > trench > other parts of trench 1524 R. Copland tr. J. de Bourbon Syege Cyte of Rodes in sig. Cijv The capytayne..made to make the trauerses [Fr. trauerses] vpon the wall where as the bracke was. 1598 R. Barret v. 125 The parts of a Bulwarke are the Trauesses or flankers. 1622 F. Markham iv. iii. 132 Lading and carrying the earth in barrels, baskets, and wheele barrows, by which are framed the Trauesses or flankers of the Bulwarke. 1767 L. Sterne IX. xxvi. 115 Uncle Toby..got his wound before the gate of St. Nicolas, in one of the traverses of the trench. 1882 E. O'Donovan II. xxxiii. 68 Opposite each gate was a large traverse, to protect it from artillery fire. 1916 J. Parr Let. 20 Mar. in L. Housman (2002) 210 The mortar dropped just behind him, blew him from one end of the traverse to the other, tore his shrapnel helmet off his head and buried it in the clay. 2009 R. Slotkin iii. 38 Without traverses, such fire could sweep a trench from end to end. the world > life > the body > internal organs > diaphragm > [noun] 1601 T. Wright xxi. 256 No man..can satisfie those demandes which may be propounded about this contemptible beast..whether it [sc. the Emmet] hath a liuer, or no..whether a trauerse or midriffe. 1664 v. 125 The Hypocondriack melancholy is called also the flatulent melancholy, and it is caused when black choler cometh unto the seventh Traverse or Diaphragma, from which a black and obscure vapour is conveyed into the seat of the mind. the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > [noun] > anything lying transversely > cross-piece, -bar, or -beam 1604 E. Grimeston tr. Descr. Chariot sig. A4v They..made a high Palyssadoe with trauerses [Fr. trauerses] of masts like vnto Gibets. 1730 A. Gordon tr. F. S. Maffei 295 Two round Holes in the Stone of the Threshold,..and two others correspondent with them, in the Traverse [It. traverso] above. 1766 J. Entick Surv. London in IV. 197 Upon that ball was a cross, 15 feet high, whose travers measured six feet. 1838 1 198/1 The cast iron rail can be fixed to the blocks or bearers with the patent vertical ties, chairs, and traverses, or in any of the usual ways. 1933 E. C. Guillet (1963) iii. v. 242 Withes of birch and hazel fastened the traverses above to the timbers below; no nails or spikes were ever used in timber rafts. 2016 M. Just in M. A. Gizejowski et al. 565/2 The traverses left and right were horizontally deformed. the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surface > [noun] > rear surface > specifically of a coin, medal, seal, etc. 1634 H. Peacham (new ed.) xii. 119 As..was worth a halfe penny farthing. And it is discerned by this figure 1. With the head or prowe of a Ship on the traverse; and Janus bifrons on the forepart. ?1828 W. Berry I. Gloss. Traverse, sometimes termed a doublet, and, in French, embrassé droit, is a bearing, according to Guillim, resembling the cheveron, which issues from two angles of one side of the escocheon, and meets in a point about the middle of the other side. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > material for making paper > paper > materials made from paper or pulp > [noun] > cardboard > piece of 1837 N. Whittock et al. 100 The boards are first cut into slips, or, as they are termed, traverses, containing five cards each. 1889 G. Clulow 24 These traverses are in turn..cut into single cards. III. Senses relating to movement or travel across or through something. 14. In sword-fighting and fencing. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > actions 1547 J. Hooper xii. L vij Marke the trauyce and pley betwene the law of God, and the conscience of Paule. 1598 S. Gosson f. 38v The Italian hath a tricke in the art of the rapier & the dagger to teach his scholer with a trauace or two to get the pointe of his aduersaries weapon, and hauing that, to locke him vp so sure that he may turne away his face from him and runne him through. 1706 G. Farquhar iii. ii. 39 (stage direct.) Plume and Brazen fight a Traverse or two about the Stage. 1861 M. W. Berriman (ed. 2) 20 Step off sideways to the left..and follow with your right foot, by which you force your adversary to change also, thus working a traverse in a circle, the centre of which will be half-way between your right foot and the right foot of your adversary. 2001 K. Ducklin & J. Waller (new ed.) 49 A traverse is a side-step when one leg is thrown sideways but without passing the other. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > actions 1892 L. Rondelle ii. 43 The Traverse consists in making a prolonged and sharp pressure, a sort of scraping blow, on the adverse blade, and must be effected by sliding down toward his hilt. This move shakes your adversary's guard and makes an opening for your Thrust. 1920 R. E. Manrique i. 35 The traverse is a prolonged and sharp press, sliding your blade along your adversary's down toward the hilt. 15. society > travel > [noun] > travelling across or through the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [noun] > across 1563 tr. J. Ribaut sig. A.viv God..hath geuen vs grace, to make the furthest arte & trauars of the seas, that euer was made in oure memorie or knowledge. 1642 D. Rogers 89 He led them a traverse of fourty yeares. 1725 D. Defoe ii. 155 They were One and Twenty Days in this Traverse. 1894 W. M. Conway xiii. 269 But for the great heat of the sun and the softness of the snow this would have been a delightful traverse, for we were in the midst of grand scenery. 1902 2 Aug. 485/1 He completed his traverse of Persia from north to south. 2018 @KESWitley 30 July in twitter.com (accessed 9 Apr. 2019) Our bikers are continuing their traverse across France today. society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > toll for passing through > [noun] 1641 W. Prynne 16 Tax, that layes a farre greater Charge upon the Subject, than any new Office, Murage, Tallage, Travers, or thorow Toll, cannot be imposed but by Act of Parliament. 1754 T. Gardner 134 (note) Robert FitzRogers had customary Travers for Passage through Blythburgh and Walberswick. 1839 1 448 In the inquisition, taken in the 17 Edw. 2, the traverse of the bridge at Ware is mentioned. 1793 J. MacDonell Diary 5 July in C. M. Gates (1933) 92 From the Tosinerre to the Pâte..is a traverse of about two leagues. 1793 J. MacDonell Diary 4 Sept. in C. M. Gates (1933) 108 Started after sunrise, made the traverse to the entrance of the red River Streight. 1808 Z. M. Pike (1810) ii. 189 I determined to attempt the traverse of the mountain. 1904 P. Fountain vii. 61 When a bay or inlet is come to, the crew [of the canoe]..like to strike straight across from headland to headland. In the technical language of the voyageurs this is termed making a traverse. 1988 24 Dec. 72/2 Up the Winnipeg River to an east-west open traverse of lake Winnipeg (two natives..had not seen such a crossing accomplished by canoe in their lifetimes). 2015 M. T. Greene vi. 137 They proceeded south with a dangerous traverse over the crevasse fields of the Inland Ice for four days, trying to shorten their return. 16. Nautical. society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > [noun] > beating against the wind > tacking > a tack or beat society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > [noun] > beating against the wind > tacking > a tack or beat > track of ?1574 W. Bourne xix. f. 51 If the shippe haue had often trauerse by the means of contrary winds, so that she could not lie hir course. 1595 J. Davis i. sig. G5v A Trauers is the varietie of the Ships motion vpon euery alteration of Corses. 1762 Mar. 99/1 This distance..may be increased tenfold by traverses which vessels must..make on such occasions. 1834 (Libr. Useful Knowl.) III. Navigation i. ii. §17 She will be found one mile to the west of that place at the end of the traverse, for the total amount of westings exceeds the eastings by one mile. 1977 Feb. 84/1 A traverse is a series of courses such as might be taken by a sailboat beating into the wind or a fishing vessel working over an area. the world > time > change > alternation > change of fortune > [noun] > instance of the world > time > change > [noun] > a change 1601 R. Johnson vii. sig. Dv In the describing of famous battelles, where specious wars, the ruine of nations..the vncertaine trauerses of fortune, the death of braue Commaunders, haue a certain kind of Maiesty linked with delight. 1655 H. L'Estrange 2 In the very nick of time (a strange traverse of Providence) dyes Pope Gregory, whose death put all to a stand. 1692 150 How racking must the pain of that Mind be, which is tortured in it self..with distrust, that works by..anxious traverses and debates of the Mind? 1700 T. Goodwin 35 The thoughts of God our Kind Father..the assurance of Christ's Favour, and that our Peace is made will make every thing lie easy under us, and cause us to rejoyce through all the Traverses of a Tedious Sickness. 1913 J. Morley 57 Even men of the compass of Caesar..Cromwell, Chatham pursued resolute general aims, subject only like all men's aims to the uncounted traverses of fortune. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [noun] > board or scale on which course is indicated 1627 J. Smith ii. 12 Vpon the Bittacle is also the Trauas, which is a little round boord full of holes..vpon which..they keepe an account, how many glasses..they steare vpon euery point. 17. society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, passage, or means of access to a place > [noun] > across 1595 E. Hoby tr. L.-V. de La Popelinière ii. 154 The Duke of Guise..resolued to make them retire from place to place, through the trauerses [Fr. trauerses] of the wood. a1678 A. Marvell Upon Appleton House in (1681) 91 The field In whose new Traverse seemeth wrought A Camp of Battail newly fought. 1773 A. Grant Let. May in (1806) I. 70 I have got cold in these meadowy traverses. 1835 W. G. Simms II. i. 4 There is not a wagon track—not a defile—not a clearing—not a traverse of these plains, which has not been consecrated by the strife for liberty. 2019 (Nexis) 29 June (Ontario ed.) p12 Two complimentary beverages at the Velvet Restaurant & Lounge, for mountain bikers looking to tackle the point-to-point single-track traverse across the Rossland Range. the world > the earth > water > body of water > channel of water > [noun] the world > the earth > water > sea or ocean > channel > [noun] > navigable channel through shoals, etc. the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > bend in coast > [noun] > bay or gulf a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy (1647) v. 327 A tempest tooke me in that long traverse [Fr. trauerse] of sea which is betweene the Island of the Sunne, and the kingdome of Senega. 1760 16 Directions for passing the Traverse. Being past Burnt Cape..haul over for the Traverse, which ought to be passed in a very clear Day. 1805 Z. M. Pike (1810) 22 The storm..burst upon us, in the Traverse, while making to Point de Sable. 1892 W. Pike 25 We put out..to paddle across the open traverse to the first of a group of islands. 1903 L. S. Amery iii. 72 A large force of mounted infantry crossing the short and calm traverse of the Indian Ocean with its own trained horses. 1923 S. Newton 65 If caught in a blow in some long open traverse from point to point, or across some arm of the big lakes, heavy parlas or canvas oil cloths were thrown over goods and passengers. 2004 R. Blue & C. J. Naden 55/1 To approach Quebec, a ship must sail through a sailor's nightmare of shifting sandbars and dangerous rocks in a highly confusing maze. It is known as the Traverse. The only way to get the British armada through the Traverse was to chart and mark a passage. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > passage or corridor > [noun] 1822 E. J. Willson Gloss. Gothic Archit. 14/2 in A. Pugin (1823) II Traverse,..a gallery or loft, crossing some part of a church, or other large building. 2006 J. S. Curl (ed. 2) Traverse, gallery or loft, usually screened, for communication between two apartments, e.g. across a hall. society > leisure > the arts > literature > literary and textual criticism > literary criticism > [noun] > practice of citing or quoting > that which is quoted the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > inspection, survey > [noun] 1608 J. Panke 56 He must needes meane by their own trauises out of him that Christ both spake and meant the bread when he said this is my body. 1658 E. Phillips (advt.) Some Critticks perhaps will expect the names of Authours in the traverse of this Worke to be often set down. 1893 15 Apr. 3/5 An extremely lengthy traverse of the statements contained in a handbill distributed at the doors of the hall. 1924 20 Feb. 6/6 The brief traverse which lies between the cradle and the grave. 2001 (Nexis) 3 Nov. (Features section) 25 A brief traverse through the highs and lows of John Howard's political life. 19. the world > movement > progressive motion > [noun] 1663 N. Boteler ii. v. 119 Some Gunners have advised that the hinder part of a Platform should be raised far higher then the forepart, to facilitate the traverse of the Gun into the Port after its discharge and reverse. 1871 23 Sept. 201 The object of this invention is to facilitate the traverse of railway carriages around curves. 1975 T. E. Ctvrtnicek et al. 415 For crops and hay, peaks and ridges graded and valleys filled to extent necessary to enable the traverse of farm machinery. 2003 J. D. Altman & C. S. Rihal in D. R. Holmes & V. Mathew (ed. 2) 30/1 A wire with a smooth transition between the soft tip and the stiffer shaft allows a smooth traverse of the wire into the branch vessel. society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > [noun] > lateral movement 1786 Nov. 323/2 A bluff point called the White Patch, where a battery should be erected, which might be brought to bear with efficacy in a traverse of 90 degrees. 1830 P. Hedderwick 321 The termination of the round on the rudder-stock..will allow a traverse of the rudder 38 degrees each way from the line of the keel prolonged. 1941 C. G. Grey vii. 65 He could sit in the shade, with plenty of traverse for his gun, and shoot at the indigenes in comfort. 2012 C. McNab (e-book ed.) The extent of the traverse left and right could be fixed by use of adjustable traverse stops. 1810 2nd Ser. 16 76 The traverse is obtained by the rising and falling of the rail supporting the fly. 1874 28 Aug. 856/2 The vertical traverse of the sliding-block is, of course, limited by the extent of movement of the leaver-handle. 1937 Apr. 108/2 Both [the anvil and spindle end] may be out of square with the direction of traverse of the spindle. 1998 14 68/1 Bore polishing has been found to spread over the entire traverse of the piston in some engine tests. the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > [noun] > specific methods or processes the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > [noun] > a survey line > traverse line 1674 W. Leybourn (ed. 3) iv. Argt. 184 In the First Part of this Fourth Book, you are also taught how to Survey by the Theodolite or Circumferentor, by way of Traverse, (as they do keep their account at Sea). 1804 M. Lewis Jrnl. 22 July in (1986) II. 413 A Circumferentor..has also been employed in taking the traverse of the river. 1900 H. M. Wilson x. 195 Traverses made in connection with topographic mapping are of several degrees of accuracy. 2000 (Amer. Congr. Surv. & Mapping) Sept. 185/2 They compare the GPS-based mapped traverse with a traverse plotted from data collected by a total station field-to-finish survey. society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > [noun] > winding > each length of society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > [noun] > winding 1731 Nov. 488/1 The Descent..is now firm, smooth and gradual, by 17 Traverses. 1819 W. Green II. 188 The Honister slate being generally near the top of the crag, has, for many years past, been lowered in carts on the winding traverses, made for that purpose, down the even side of the mountain. 1963 S. E. Toulmin xi. 207 Two more cars cornered noisily, and shot past us..three or four more were visible, snaking their way down the winding traverse from Arachova and Parnassus. 2015 M. Heid xlvii. 172/1 You rapidly gain 550 feet via 20 switchbacks, interspersed with short traverses. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > [noun] > actions a1877 W. Longman Mod. Mountaineering i. 20 in (1878) 8 They arrived at nearly the same level as the Corridor, which might then be reached by a traverse. 1907 G. D. Abraham xv. 227 The grassy traverse along the face of the cliff affords a simpler passage. 2016 @StrachanHazel 8 May in twitter.com (accessed 11 Apr. 2019) A year ago today. A long traverse of the North Kintail Ridge. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skiing > [noun] > actions of skier society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skiing > [noun] > ski slope or run 1905 D. M. M. C. Somerville et al. (ed. 2) 74 He is obliged at the end of his traverse to stop and turn. 1969 M. Heller xv. 199 Closely related to mogul slopes is the heavily rutted traverse. 2016 @weeickle 10 Jan. in twitter.com (accessed 15 Apr. 2019) First day skiing and I even managed a tiny off piste traverse. the world > relative properties > number > geometry > shape or figure > [noun] > action upon > drawing 1905 J. C. Wilson i. §2. 6 A traverse must exhaust the point at which it ends: for if any path from it were left untraversed, the traverse would leave the point by the path, and so it would not be the point at which the traverse ends. Phrases†P1. at (also in, on, etc.) (the) traverse. the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > transversely [phrase] the world > space > direction > in the direction that [phrase] > oblique or askew the world > space > relative position > quality of having sides or being a side > alongside [phrase] > on one side ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. 12890 Þe sargeancie & þe archers..were set..to kepe þe Romeyns at þe trauers [a1450 Lamb. at trauers]. a1500 (?c1450) xxiii. 425 He loked proudly on trauerse. 1586 J. Ferne 29 Great peeces of tymber or logges of woode..set in trauerse ouer some passage, bridge or gate. 1678 J. Moxon I. iv. 66 Joyners work as well upon the Traverse..as with the Grain of the wood. society > society and the community > dissent > at variance [phrase] society > society and the community > dissent > at variance [phrase] > forming subject of dissension c1448 in W. Hudson (1906) I. 345 The pryour of Norwich that tyme being in travers wt the said meir and comonalte. c1450 (?a1422) J. Lydgate (Durh.) (1961) iii. l. 1590 While thay were at travers of thees thre, Eueryche holdyng his opynyon. 1524 in J. H. Glover (1883) 64 The forseid land and grownds now in traves. 1658 City Law 92 in (rev. ed.) Where..the parties be at traverse, and at issue upon some especiall condition broken [etc.] 1790 J. Harrison (ed. 7) 389 In every traverse there ought to be a proper inducement to shew the matter in traverse is material. society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [adverb] > across, through the breadth of 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) xxviii. 576 [He] went..thrugh the travers of the wodes wel the space of viii dayes. P3. Originally and chiefly Nautical. to work a traverse (and variants). Cf. sense 16a. the world > relative properties > number > enumeration, reckoning, or calculation > enumerate, reckon, or calculate [verb (intransitive)] 1659 J. Collins i. ii. 12 Before we come to work any Traverse, it will be very ready and convenient to prepare a Traverse-Quadrant. 1898 4 May 586/3 I thought I set you to work a traverse this morning? 1943 G. W. Mixter (ed. 2) 142 Working a traverse means to combine the results of the various legs of the track so that a single solution by plane sailing gives the answer. society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > make zig-zag course 1805 13 7 I thanked the honest Watchman and Constable; and then worked a Traverse through and across all the lanes in Wapping to find a lodging suitable to my circumstances. 1852 2 Feb. She..steamed out to the westward..; there disconnected the engines, and worked a traverse to the southward under sail. 1912 29 Dec. (Mag. section) 2/1 It would cost them a day to work a traverse round the mountain. the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > [phrase] > attain superiority or mastery of the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > trickery, playing jokes > play tricks [phrase] 1840 R. H. Dana xxx. 361 This old covey knows the ropes. He has worked a traverse over 'em. 1925 26 Nov. 845/1 That's what she used to kind of work a traverse on me a day or so ago. 1933 J. Masefield 279 I only hope..nobody else has worked the same traverse. Compounds Some of the compounds treated here might be regarded as formed on traverse v.society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [noun] > board or scale on which course is indicated 1597 W. Barlow sig. H3v Whensoeuer you haue opportunitie to obserue the Latitude, drawe your Parallele vpon the Trauerse boorde according thereunto. 1704 J. Harris I Traverse-Board..upon it, by moving of a little Peg from Hole to Hole, the Steers-man keeps an account how many Glasses (that is, half Hours) the Ship Steers upon any Point. 2009 P. Glennie & N. Thrift viii. 286 Use of the traverse board was increasing through the sixteenth century. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > ship's papers > [noun] > logbook 1600 in R. Hakluyt (new ed.) III. 115 (heading) A traverse-booke made by M. Iohn Davis in his third voyage for the discouerie of the Northwest passage. 1728 E. Chambers at Log They are enter'd into the Log-Book, or Traverse-Book, ruled and column'd just as the Log-Board is. 1888 F. H. Cushing Let. 6 Mar. in (1995) 37 657 Wherever it may seem desirable, it might be well to illustrate more in detail these points by plans in the traverse-book herewith furnished, and by sketches, no matter how hasty, in the sketch-book also provided herewith. 1961 E. S. Dodge viii. 101 Davis, on his third voyage, also kept a traverse book which was an improvement on earlier systems and set the form for entering the necessary information concisely in log books thereafter. 1993 I. M. Spry & B. McCardle 58 The records listed here consist of files..letter books, maps, technical records of individual surveys (including field books, diaries, traverse books, and related items). society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > gun carriage > [noun] > track 1836 Rep. Chief Engineer in Message from President U.S. to Two Houses of Congress No. 8. 192 in (24th Congr., 2nd Sess.: Senate Doc. 1) I The masonry of Fort Columbus is now finished, except..the completion of some traverse circles and pintle beds. 2014 C. B. Mabelitini in C. R. Geier et al. xiv. 232 In permanent batteries, the pintle and the traverse circle would have both been fixed in masonry. society > occupation and work > equipment > piercing or boring tools > [noun] > drill > other drills 1853 A. D. Jones I. 257 (advt.) All kinds of machinists' tools;..Splining Machines; Traverse Drills; Boiler Punches. 1876 E. H. Knight (new ed.) III. 2619/1 Traverse-drill. 1. A drill for boring slots... 2. One in which the drill-stock has a traverse motion for adjustment. 1920 16 Dec. 4261/2 When a finishing plant machine shop is fitted up for general repairs..the equipment should consist of..a bench lathe, a traverse drill, a centering lathe, [etc.]. society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > jury > [noun] > appeal jury society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > jury > [noun] > petty or trial jury 1746 R. Richardson (ed. 2) I. 496 (table) For summoning, impanneling, and returning the traverse jury, and attending the trials there, which very rarely happens... Clerks..10[s.] 1823 Rep. Sel. Comm. Sewers Metropolis 17 in V. 1 In all cases where the presentment of the jury is traversed..that traverse must be tried by another jury, to be summoned by the sheriff, which is called a traverse jury. 1911 50 222 By the statutes of this state, appeals lie from all inferior courts to higher courts where trial by a traverse jury may be had. In other words, no person can be convicted in this state of even the most petty offence, if he avails himself of his right of appeal, unless each of twelve traverse jurors is convinced of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 2011 (Nexis) 13 Oct. Georgia Supreme Court is setting the rules, and they will not only apply to traverse juries but grand juries as well. the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > [noun] > surveyor > using specific methods 1888 H. Gannet in (1889) 53 The work was necessarily done entirely by traverse... It was platted in the field by the traverse men. 1939 J. G. Staack p. viii Included in the heading that precedes the descriptions and positions of stations established along any line of transit traverse are the name of the traverseman who ran that line. 1877 14 June 350/1 His criticisms..tend..to build up the popular idea that the Engineers use only traverse lines for securing the data for their maps, whereas the purely traverse maps form but a very small part of their work. 1997 D. B. K. Chhetri (Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Mich.) ii. 40 Easily identifiable landmarks at the forest stand edges were marked on the traverse maps. the world > the earth > land > landscape > low land > valley > [noun] > mountain pass > top of 1637 R. Norwood ix. 105 Therefore in the Meridian of that Traverse-point, I make a Prick in the Latitude of 39 deg. 36 minutes, and from that Prick I set to the Eastwards in the same Latitude 430 miles, and where that ends, is the traverse-point answering to the 24 day. 1657 (new ed.) xxiii. 44 When you sail by the sixth or seventh rumb..there is certain difficulty which may breed great errour in finding the traverse point. 1883 (Canad. Department Interior) 23 Such temporary marks or posts will be called traverse points. 1886 J. Ruskin I. ix. 304 This main pass of Jura..reaches its traverse-point very nearly under the highest summit of that part of the chain. 2004 M. S. Cheves in (ed. 2) xiv. 258/1 Classification of a traverse by closure..will not indicate where the traverse points really lie or what could be done to improve the traverse. 1700 W. Congreve v. i. 71 Dining behind a Traver's Rag in a shop no bigger than a Bird-cage. society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > [noun] > beating against the wind > tacking 1715 H. Wilson iii. 101 I have of Purpose omitted Traverse Sailing in the Geometrical Part. 1787 A. Clarke in (1840) App. 154 After much traverse sailing, occasioned by the wind being almost directly opposite, we came to anchor. 1843 XXV. 169/2 Traverse sailing..is merely the sailing on different points of the compass, for short distances, in succession. 2016 36 6/1 Traverse sailing applies the principles of plane sailing to situations when there are two or more courses. society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > saw > [noun] > for cutting wood > tenon 1867 6 Nov. 283/1 Third Premiums... I. Wright, Newark, N. J.—Cross-cut Traverse Saw. 2001 4 The height of the blade assembly can be fixed, if desired, to allow the saw to be employed as a traverse saw having a fixed blade position. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [noun] > board or scale on which course is indicated 1669 S. Sturmy ii. v. 64 The Travis-Scale... An Instrument the most easie, ready, and necessary..for the working of Travises, and correcting your dead Reckoning. 1669 S. Sturmy iv. iii. 153 By the Traverse-Scale, Extend the Compasses in the Line of Numbers from 10 or 100, to 57 Leagues. the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > [noun] > types of survey 1860 29 Oct. 5/6 The amount of work done in surveys during the year was, 48 miles of traverse surveys, 57 miles of sections,..and 942 cross sections. 2002 93 500/1 Such traverse surveys were much less accurate than the trigonometric surveys being carried out in Britain and the United States. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > weaving > method of > weaving other types of fabric > loom or machine for 1826 12 343 The improvements herein proposed, apply to that particular construction of machine for making bobbin-net lace called the traverse warp machine. 1935 III. 1548/2 He also made a traverse warp machine for the manufacture of ‘Brussels’ lace. 1675 H. Neville tr. N. Machiavelli Art of War vi. ii. in tr. N. Machiavelli 497 Betwixt the sixteenth and seventeenth lodgment a space of thirty yards wide, as a traverse way to pass thorough all the lodgements of the Battalions. 1861 27 July 8/1 A wide traverse-way, cut along the south side of the brewery..would vastly enhance all the property in the vicinage. 2018 (Office of Federal Reg., U.S.) (rev. ed.) lxxvii. 692/2 Safe, Efficient Use And Preservation of the Navigable Airspace... Construction or alteration requiring notice... Any highway, railroad, or other traverse way for mobile objects. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022). traverseadj. Brit. /ˈtravəs/, /ˈtravəːs/, /trəˈvəːs/, U.S. /ˈtrævərs/, /trəˈvərs/ Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French travers. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French travers (French †travers ) diagonally opposite (13th cent. or earlier in Old French), transverse, cross (first half of the 14th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman, 1503 in continental French) < classical Latin trāversus , variant of transversus transverse adj.Compare Old Occitan travers upsetting, repugnant. Compare the following earlier example of the abbreviated form trauersbarr' ‘horizontal bar (probably used as a lintel)’, a compound with the adjective as first element (compare bar n.1); however, it is unclear whether this should be taken as showing a Middle English, Anglo-Norman, or post-classical Latin word:1351–4 Accts. Exchequer King's Remembrancer (P.R.O.: E101/471/6) m. 7 Magistro Andr' pro iij. trauersbarr' pro quadam fenestram in bassa Camera Regis pond' xxxiiij lb' di', prec' lb' ij d' vt supra v s' viij d' ob'. rare. the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > [adjective] the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adjective] > extending across a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich (1913) II. l. 11269 (MED) There his steward his armes bar..with two bendis travers, ȝelw & grene. 1598 J. Stow 333 The ouersight, and profites of a crosse ferrie or trauerse ferrie ouer the Thames..before that any bridge was builded. a1701 H. Maundrell (1703) 111 The traverse part of the Cross. 1884 7 Oct. 4/1 On the left side of the neck there was a traverse cut about six inches long, from two inches below and behind the ear, extending towards the larynx. 2018 2/1 The lock includes a catch that straddles the traverse part of the second body in the locked position. the world > space > relative position > inclination > [adjective] 1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus 412 With grim lookes and traverse cast of eye [L. luminibus..obliquis]. 1610 J. Guillim i. viii. 34 A Gusset..is formed of a Trauerse line drawne either from the Dexter or Sinister Chiefe point..tending to the Honour point, and descending from thence..to the extreme base parts of the Escocheon. 1746 R. Griffiths 219 A traverse Line drawn from Corner to Corner, is longer than one from the Head to the Root of the Tail. 1637 P. Heylyn ii. vii. 85 Let the Table be disposed of at the upper end, and then a Traverse Curtaine drawne betweene the Table and the people. 1889 F. A. Moreland 166 A traverse cord and pulleys with dainty tassels to match are a nice addition. 1949 11 Mar. 24 (advt.) Auerbach's traverse curtains in wonderful Serenacel rayon taffeta. 2012 C. Patterson iv. 25 He pulled the cord on the side traverse rods. Phrasessociety > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > lines or edges > [adjective] > divided in two > by two lines at acute angle 1632 (ed. 2) v. i. 365 He beareth parted per pile, trauerse, Argent and Gules. 1780 J. Edmondson II. Alphabet of Arms Rathlowe, Parted per pile traverse ar. and gu. 1889 C. N. Elvin p. xii (legend) Per-pile traverse. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online June 2022). traversev.Brit. /trəˈvəːs/, /ˈtravəs/, /ˈtravəːs/, U.S. /trəˈvərs/, /ˈtrævərs/ Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French traverser. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French traverser (French traverser ) to pierce (something) through (end of the 10th cent.; 14th cent. or earlier with reference to weapons running people through), to pass over or through (a barrier or topographical feature) (c1100), to pass through (a space) from one side to the other (c1140), to thwart, block, impede (an action) (late 12th cent.), to stretch (something) crosswise (late 13th cent. or earlier), to lay (something) across (c1300 or earlier), to go or pass through (time) (late 15th cent.), to digress (1530 in Palsgrave: see quot. 1530 at sense 13a), in Anglo-Norman in legal contexts also to make a formal denial (early 13th cent. or earlier), to deny (an allegation) formally (late 13th cent. or earlier), to defeat, bar (a claimant from his or her right) (early 14th cent. or earlier) < post-classical Latin traversare to cross (4th cent.), variant of transversare transverse v.1Compare Old Occitan traversar , Catalan travessar , Portuguese travessar , Italian traversare (all 14th cent.), Spanish travesar (c1200). Specific forms. The β. forms arose from reduction of the second syllable. (By contrast, the Catalan, Spanish, and Portuguese parallels reflect assimilation of the consonant cluster -rs- to -ss- .) transverse v.1, and also e.g. reverse v.1 With the γ. forms perhaps compare -ish suffix2. Specific senses. In sense 27b after traverse n. (compare sense 8 at that entry). Pronunciation. This word was probably originally stressed on the first syllable (as it is in Shakespeare). Among 18th-cent. dictionaries the only one to give stress on the second syllable appears to be J. Buchanan New Eng. Dict. (1757); this pronunciation appears to have gained ground during the 19th cent., and N.E.D. (1914) gives both types. With the second-syllable stress, compare e.g. transverse v.1, reverse v.1 I. To go against; to counter, oppose, or thwart. 1. Law and in legal contexts. the mind > language > statement > objection > object [verb (transitive)] > dispute or call in question society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > pleading > maintain by argument in court [verb (transitive)] > deny a1325 Statutes of Realm in f. 96v Þer me ne mai noȝt vochen warant out of þe lignage bote onliche trauersen þe Entree. 1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith (1870) 394 To travers the seid presentements or accusement for his acquitalle. 1553 T. Wilson 47 In traversyng a cause before a judge. 1647 N. Bacon 88 In the answer of the defendant he either traversed the matter in fact, or confessed and justified, or confessed and submitted. 1791 J. Hampson II. 33 If they were disappointed at the quarter sessions,..they traversed and appealed to the upper courts. 1823 Rep. Sel. Comm. Sewers Metropolis 17 in V. 1 In all cases where the presentment of the jury is traversed,..that traverse must be tried by another jury, to be summoned by the sheriff, which is called a traverse jury. 1911 W. B. Odgers & W. B. Odgers II. v. xvii. 1214 Allegations of fact alone should be traversed, and these he must not traverse ‘evasively, but answer the point of substance’. 2011 17 17 The defendant had specifically traversed the allegation that over £500 had been received by Strachan. the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > contrary evidence > contradict, go against [verb (transitive)] 1491–2 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1491 §18. m. 8 Yf..any man will travers that the seid warrant is not the dede of hym that is named to be the maker of the seid warrant, then that issue shalbe tried. 1654 T. Fuller 16 What will it benefit a Lamb to traverse his innocence in the pawes of a Lyon? 1809 I. 967 He confessed the Indictment, and yet traversed that the points thereof were no treason. a1726 G. Gilbert (1737) iv. 33 When a Man comes in on a Criminal Process, he had Liberty to traverse in prox. on all bailable Offences, because he might not be prepared for Trial with his Witnesses. 1802 13 Oct. 369/1 Copping..and the other persons concerned in the riot at Burgh, pleaded not guilty to their indictments, which were traversed till the next sessions. 1830 21 Oct. Mr Blackburne applied to the Court to traverse the indictment until the next sessions. The Court acceded, and the case was traversed accordingly. 1860 4 Apr. 2/5 A true bill upon the indictment preferred against Mr. Fox was found by the grand jury; but the case is traversed until next assizes. 1956 20 Feb. 15/7 The trial..was traversed today until the May Assizes. 2019 25 Apr. a1/3 With the nation's courts still hobbled by severe backlog, 1,024 cases have been traversed into the new Easter term. the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (intransitive)] the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (transitive)] c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Trin. Cambr. B.15.17) (1975) B. xii. l. 287 Truþe þat trespased neuere ne trauersed [c1400 Laud 581 transuersed] ayeins his lawe. a1425 (?a1350) (Galba) (1907) l. 1301 He has me tenid and trauerst [a1425 BL Add. trauyst] ay in all þe werkes I haue wroght. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. xxv. 327 That trature trauesses vs allway. 1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden 2 Here..the difficultie ceased not, becaus som did travers the execution of the sentence. 1712 J. Arbuthnot iv. iii. 13 He resolv'd to traverse this new Project. 1855 T. B. Macaulay IV. xvii. 75 Berwick had sent Maxwell to watch their motions and to traverse their designs. 1944 G. Santayana viii. 138 In this sense I am not without a conscience; but I accept nobody's precepts traversing my moral freedom. the mind > language > statement > denial or contradiction > deny or contradict [verb (transitive)] the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > controversy, dispute, argument > argue about, dispute [verb (transitive)] a1450 (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1912) l. 3720 Eche man dyd travers Others witte. ?1504 S. Hawes sig. aa.vii Longe haue they trauerst..Whiche of theym sholde haue the preemynence. 1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus II. 1 Cor. vi. f. xvi The matter..muste bee trauersed before the commen officers. 1699 W. Garrett Pref. sig. A2/1 If any Man has a mind to traverse the Point fairly with me, I shall be ready. II. To pass, travel, or extend through or across. 4. society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > traverse a distance or ground the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (transitive)] the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (transitive)] > through ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 12403 Þe messengers trauersed þe felde. a1450 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Lamb.) (1887) l. 9989 (MED) Þe contres trauersed þey ouerþwert. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) xxxv. 111 Thou dydest swym in ye see, & trauesyd ye grete waues. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay ii. xi. 45 b Trauishing this goulph, a Northerly wynde came full in the face of vs. 1668 T. Shadwell v. 96 Enter a boy in the habit of Pugenello, and traverses the Stage. 1740 tr. G. Adlerfeld II. 4 The enemy attacked the work-house, and traversed the gardens belonging to it with a lage detachment of horse, cutting to pieces all they met. 1899 12 Jan. 3/6 His body was discovered upwards of a mile from the spot where he started, and all this distance he must have traversed through a very narrow way in the dark. 1909 H. Belloc 79 One may take as one's standard the roads which can be traversed by a motor car. 2000 P. Vincent 27/3 Wide tyres are not ideal for long periods in the saddle or when traversing hilly terrain. 1490 W. Caxton tr. xvi. sig. Eiijv Trauersynge from one lande to another. 1591 J. Lyly iii. iii. sig. E3v We will trauice. Will you goe sir? 1669 tr. Duc de Guise iii. 351 A Star appeared on my left hand..then falling with extraordinary swiftness, and traversing towards my right hand, stopped in the middle of the way just over my horses head. 1677 W. Hubbard sig. A5v Purchase wrote much, Hacluyt traversed farr. 1818 154 Is it not very strange..that an opposite neighbour's servant should discern a man traversing from house to house, along the parapets, or the roofs, at fall of the evening..but apprise no one of it? 2001 C. Freeland vii. 201 The player traverses through alien terrains, surfs on a synthetic ocean,..or snowboards down a steep slope. c. In extended use. the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electric current > of electricity: pass through [verb (transitive)] 1601 R. Dolman tr. P. de la Primaudaye III. lix. 271 Their saltnes is diminished by the length and continuance of the course of the water. For the farther that wels are from the sea, the more fresh they are: because the water doth more purge it selfe, by the earth ouer which it trauerseth. 1635 J. Jones 61 Now thou dost powre fresh youth Vpon my haires..And mak'st fresh blood traverse my empty veines. 1776 tr. G. Beccaria Terrestr. Atmospheric Electr. in tr. G. Beccaria ii. iv. 129 I could conclude no sure method of determining..at what degree of heat the electric fire really traversed the substance of the glass. 1867 2 Mar. 220/2 It would, of course, be an useless parallel if in one case the bullet traversed the root of the lung and in the other the periphery merely. 1905 Sept. 341/1 It [sc. steam] passes through the valve B into the compartment H, and traverses through the right group of superheater tubes. 1999 26 Mar. 2047/1 Relative to smaller aftershocks, mainshock direct S waves traverse large cross sections of the crust as they propagate to and sum together at near-source sites. the world > movement > progressive motion > specific manner of progressive motion > move or cause to move progressively in specific manner [verb (transitive)] 1628 J. Jackson 5 Thus when our eyes traverse from object to object, they may out of every thing extract the meditation of our mortality, and the remembrance of our end. 1708 J. Philips Cyder in (1778) 111 Blind British bards with volant touch Traverse loquacious strings. 1817 Feb. 176 Her fair hand traversed the embroidery frame. 1898 62/2 Scott's hand traversed gently up her shoulder, along her slender neck, over her full-flowing mane. 2019 (Nexis) 26 Feb. (Art and design section) The square nib traversing the paper in one long continuous line, straight and curved. †5. To pierce right through something from one side to the other. the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with sharp weapon society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or penetrate (of weapon) [verb (transitive)] > strike with pointed weapon the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > cut [verb (transitive)] > puncture > with a weapon c1425 (c1400) l. 5841 With a spere he him trauersed. 1578 J. Polemon 280 His horse,..hauing his sides trauersed with a Launce, and being hurt with diuers pellets, began to founder vnder him. 1798 tr. L. F. L. de Lignac II. 174 They..mark, with ink, on the two sides, the places intended to be pierced: they then traverse the skin with a needle and thread. the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into > bore, pierce, or perforate > with something sharp-pointed > pierce or penetrate as a sharp thing the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > cut [verb (transitive)] > puncture 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre (1913) 39 Iasons spere trauersid his shelde. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1959) x. viii. l. 98 The schaft..throw the bordour of the scheild swa persyt Quhill fynaly in sum deill it traversyt, And hurt a part of Turnus byg body. 1604 R. Cawdrey Trauerse, strike, or thrust through. 1846 F. Brittan tr. J. F. Malgaigne 410 The needles..traverse the intestine on the opposite side. 6. figurative and in figurative contexts. the world > life > source or principle of life > [verb (transitive)] the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > be subjected to or undergo an action > undergo or experience 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre (1913) 4 Their lyf was trauersid [Fr. traversée] in contynuell bewailing. 1684 T. Godwyn 15 Many suddain conceptions traversing my mind without order. 1750 T. Gibbons 143 A Youth alike prepar'd for either State, To traverse Life, or meet the Blow of Fate. 1823 W. Scott I. iv. 77 Such were the thoughts which hastily traversed the mind of young Durward. 1840 17 Oct. The period he had traversed in parliamentary life had been one both interesting and important. 1918 Sept. 343 I have traversed all the stages of belief, from prejudice to embracement. 2017 (Nexis) 23 May (Life section) 14 In a diverse career spanning decades, she's traversed the jazz and pop scenes. the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > consider, deliberate [verb (transitive)] c1487 J. Skelton tr. Diodorus Siculus iv. 320 Wele am I envred with thenhabitauntes of the contrey that travers moche by variation vppon the disputions of Dionisius generation. 1606 S. Gardiner To Rdr. After thou hast but cursorily trauised this Treatise. 1880 6 Mar. 8/6 After traversing the evidence at great length, the learned counsel submitted that..it was untrue..to assert that his client had been guilty of bigamy. 1920 H. J. Laski ii. 39 Locke thus traverses the ground Hobbes had covered in his Leviathan though he rejects every premise of the earlier thinker. 2000 (Nexis) 18 Nov. 1 After traversing all the arguments..I'm still not sure where the answer lies. 1481 W. Caxton tr. ii. xxi. sig. h3v In Perse is a ryuer longe & brood whiche in the nyght is so hard frozen, that peple may goo ouer afoot and trauerse it. 1555 R. Eden tr. F. Lopes in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria f. 321v They trauersed the Equinoctiall line syxe tymes withowt burnynge. 1667 J. Milton ix. 66 Thrice the Equinoctial Line He circl'd, four times cross'd the Carr of Night From Pole to Pole, traversing each Colure. View more context for this quotation 1868 C. Lyell (ed. 10) II. iii. xxxix. 355 The jaguar traverses with ease the largest streams. 1900 29 351 The osmotic pressure available for work does depend constantly upon the ease with which water traverses the semi-permeable membrane. 2009 (Nexis) 9 Feb. a1 He traversed the fence into the compound, with tools, and it appeared he was trying to steal copper wire. the world > space > direction > specific directions > direct in specific directions [verb (transitive)] > extend across (something) 1481 W. Caxton tr. ii. iii. sig. e5v Thise two flodes [sc. Tygris and Eufrates] trauerse many grete contrees. 1683 145 The Romans gave them their help to build another Wall of Stone,..traversing the Island in a direct line from East to West. a1691 H. Piers Chorogr. Descr. W.-Meath in C. Vallancey (1770) I. 65 The lintel that traverseth the head of the door is of one entire stone. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter ii. iii. 142 The country in the neighbourhood was so..traversed with mountains. 1829 I. Taylor viii. 204 The dead solitudes of sand, traversed..by the Nile. 1945 53 414/1 The ore deposits..are hypothermal vein deposits traversing pre-Cambrian acid igneous rocks and metamorphosed sediments. 2002 H. Sharp vii. 155 From here a good path traverses the western slopes. society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > mechanism > of mechanism: operate [verb (intransitive)] > of part: run freely 1829 F. Marryat III. iv. 104 Sharp frosts..obliged us to pour boiling water into the sheaves of the blocks to thaw them, and allow the ropes to traverse. 1862 1/2 The rocker and rail..should be so curved that that part of the picker-staff which acts on the shuttle will traverse parallel or nearly parallel with the race-board of the lay of the loom, on which the shuttle traverses. 1965 1 The invention provides a multicell machine operating as a combination pressure-vacuum generator, which comprises in combination a cylinder, a piston drum.., sliding pistons traversing independently of each other in radial or tangential slots in the piston drum..[etc.]. the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > survey [verb (transitive)] > in specific manner 1838 A. Eaton 37 A road was traversed with chain and compass, through an uneven parish. 1908 H. Lyons 211 The province..was divided up into sections..which approximated to districts, and these large blocks were traversed with care, the work being done by the more efficient of the staff who also traversed the villages lying on the boundary. 2001 99 6/2 Surveyors traversed the boundaries between all sections and, in so doing, marked the intersection of section lines. 11. society > communication > representation > a plastic or graphic representation > graphic representation > represent graphically [verb (transitive)] > a geometrical figure 1905 J. C. Wilson i. §1. 5 To traverse in a figure, or in a part of it, is to trace a path along its lines, no line being traced twice over, ending at a point at which no path in the figure, or the given part of it, remains untraced. 1905 J. C. Wilson i. §9. 16 Rules for traversing figures which can be exhausted by a single traverse. 1977 T. Pavlidis iii. 51 In many cases it is necessary to traverse a graph; i.e., visit all its nodes. 2016 G. T. Heineman et al. vi. 141 Depth-First Search only needs to store a color (either white, gray, or black) with each vertex as it traverses the graph. III. To move in a transverse or lateral direction, and related senses. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 2720 Whan þei wist, alle at ons trauersed þam for þe nons, als þei had ben on þer partie & side bi side riden þam bie. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 12852 Whan þe fotemen suld fyght, þat þe hors folk com ouerthuert & trauersed þe Romeyns smert. †13. society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > be copious [verb (intransitive)] > digress ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 5001 On side he trauersed to a hille. 1438 tr. (1831) 85 Daucline..Trauissit challange for to maik. 1530 J. Palsgrave iii. f. ccc.lxxxxiiiv I Trauerse, I go from one mater to an other... Nowe you leaue ye purpose and begyn to trauerse. 1694 R. Blome tr. A. Le Grand ii. viii. 192/1 Hares, the better to elude the quick Scent of the pursuing Dogs, confound their Tracks, by shifting and traversing from one course to another. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement of [verb (transitive)] > cause to deviate from course society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > degrade or impair morally [verb (transitive)] > pervert or deprave 1438 tr. (1831) 101 Bot he had nocht this counsale than, Trauersit his hors as michty man, He turnit nocht abasitly. 1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus ix. f. 188 The kyng chaunsed vpon the place where the waues went hyghest, wherwith his shyppe was so tossed and trauersed, that the helme could not direct his course. 1659 J. Rushworth 132 For the Recovery of the Patrimony belonging to the King of Bohemia, now almost traversed from him, and in the possession of a powerful Enemy. 1689 J. Owen True Nature Gospel Church x, in (1855) XVI. 183 It is the mystery of iniquity that hath traversed these things into..a posture unintelligible to spiritual wisdom. society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > fight [verb (intransitive)] > move to and fro in fighting society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)] > actions a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 625 Thus they traced and traversced, and hewe on helmys and hawberkes. 1595 V. Saviolo i. sig. L3 Sodainly fal your point vnder his sword, trauersing with your right foot round, turning your bodie vppon your right side, & so thrust your stoccata at his face or breast. 1602 W. Shakespeare ii. iii. 23 To see thee fight, to see thee foine, to see thee trauerse. 1771 A. Lonnergan viii. 205 You must now slip from me, by traversing to the right, and dart the same Lurch again at me. 1858 W. Morris 13 The fight began,..Ever Sir Launcelot kept him on the right, And traversed warily. 2016 B. Little (e-book ed.) For a right-hander moving to the right, perhaps the best way to traverse was to move the front foot first, then the rear, while keeping the adversary's sword to the left if possible. the world > food and drink > hunting > hawking > action of hawk > [verb (intransitive)] > other actions 1486 sig. avii Ye shall knawe it whan she puttithouer [read puttith ouer] she trauersith withe hir bodi. 1632 (ed. 2) iii. xx. 228 She [sc. a Hawk] putteth ouer, when she remoueth her meate from her Gorge, into her Bowels, by trauersing with her body, but chiefly with her Necke, As a Crane..doth. 16. society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > go to and fro over or along the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (transitive)] > repeatedly 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xvii. 532 So lang thai raid distroyande swa, As thai trauersit to and fra. 1566 W. Painter I. xxvii. f. 53v This miserable louer, trauersyng in seuerall myndes..chaunged his mynde a thousande tymes in an hower. 1592 W. Wyrley Capitall de Buz in 152 Trauasing Fraunce vp and downe at pleasure. 1616 in W. Fraser (1889) II. 131 I will be travisand betuix this and London. 1782 E. Blower II. 124 For some minutes he traversed backwards and forwards from the window to the door. 1824 J. Galt ii. xiii His thoughts tossed and traversed like the inconstant clouds. 2001 (Nexis) 4 June A subsurface vacuum system on wheels constantly traverses the bottom of the pool. society > leisure > dancing > [verb (intransitive)] 1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus ii. f. 86 Many [women] trauise & daunce minionly. 1607 T. Heywood sig. Bv Come Nick, take you Ioane Miniuer to trace withal, Iacke Slime, trauerse you with Sisly Milke-pale. 1616 J. Bullokar Trauerse, to march vp and downe or to moue the feete with proportion, as in dancing. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > special movements performed by trained horse > perform special movements [verb (intransitive)] > move sideways 1539 R. Morison tr. Frontinus iv. vii. sig. Niiii They trauersed and flonge with their heles vntil they swette. 1753 Suppl. (at cited word) A horse is said to traverse, when he cuts his tread cross-wise; throwing his croupe to one side, and his head to another. 1884 E. L. Anderson ii. xii. 119 The horse will be in a position to traverse to the right. 1956 L. Mins tr. W. Seunig (rev. ed.) ii. 197 The corners are traversed on a single track. Going through the corners in the travers greatly promotes the carrying capacity and engagement of haunches. 1995 B. Michel tr. M. Dossenbach & H. D. Dossenbach 139 (caption) Opposite: Christine Stückelberger and ‘Granat’ traversing. society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > avail oneself of a wind [verb (intransitive)] > tack or make tacks society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > avail oneself of a wind [verb (intransitive)] > go about > by tacking 1568 R. Sempill Ballat Margret Fleming in W. T. Ritchie (1928) II. 328 Steir be the compas..Syne treveis still and lay a bowt. a1584 S. Borough in R. Hakluyt (1589) ii. 315 We rushed in vpon the other small anker that Gabriel sent aboord, and layd that anker to seawards: and then betweene these two ankers we trauersed the shippes head to seawards. 1658 T. Bancroft ix. 61 Crispus..When once he comes among the common rout, Is fain to traverse and to tack about With such deformity, as makes him be Ridiculous to all his company. 1836 J. Horsburgh (ed. 3) I. 467 The navigator, if in doubt of which Reef he has crossed, should endeavour, by traversing in 8 to 10 fathoms, to sight the Floating Light. 1989 M. W. Marshall iii. 65/1 Then, when going to windward, ships ‘traversed’ (or ‘tacked’ as it was called after the eighteenth century). 19. society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > management of artillery > operate (artillery) [verb (transitive)] > aim > alter position laterally 1599 in R. Hakluyt (new ed.) II. 167 They on land..hauing a very faire piece mounted on the North side..as the shippe passed by, they trauersed that piece right with the maine mast or after-quarter of the shippe. 1647 N. Nye ii. 2 There you may best observe, as the Peece is travissing, when you are in a direct line with the Mark. 1859 F. A. Griffiths (1862) 196 No. 3..traverses with the handspike. 1940 (U.S. War Dept.) viii. 81 The mortar has been traversed 110° to the right. 2002 D. Drake (Electronic ed.) An armored car was stalled ten meters ahead, its guns traversed to the right. 1693 G. Collins i. 16/1 The light Card-Compasses traverse best in fair weather. 1772 J. Adams III. 65 What has happened to the Vane, Mr. Moorhead, it don't traverse, it has pointed the same Way these 3 Weeks. 1833 H. Straith 6 Then, p is made of a good large solid block with a groove in it..in which the truck wheel r traverses in one direction. 1951 Feb. 93/1 In the Middle Ages it was believed that the compass needle would not traverse if there was a dead body aboard. the world > food and drink > hunting > shooting > shoot [verb (intransitive)] > carry gun dangerously 1807 W. B. Daniel III. 480 All the requisite steadiness in taking aim, and even of motion, in traversing the flight of a Bird, can be obtained by thus holding the heaviest pieces. 1885 G. Francis 61 This difficulty is soon surmounted if the birds are allowed to reach to a certain distance, when their flight becomes steady and easy to traverse with the gun. 1967 7 Dec. 19/6 The third method of aiming is the one in which the gun traverses the birds flight path at a constant distance in front of the bird. society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > constructing or working with wood > build or construct with wood [verb (transitive)] > trim, smooth, or plane 1678 [implied in: J. Moxon I. iv. 65 This way of Cross-Grain'd working, is, by Workmen called Traversing. (at traversing n.)]. 1703 R. Neve 268 Traverse, A Term in Joynery, signifying to plain a Board, (or the like) across the Grain. 1842 J. Gwilt ii. iii. 566 The use of the side-hook is to hold a board fast,..in traversing the wood, which is planing it in a direction perpendicular to the fibres. 1899 F. E. Kidder (ed. 2) II. viii. 492 All hardwood floors..to be smoothed and traversed by hand as soon as laid. 1948 27 Feb. 24/2 Traversing a wood floor. 1808 J. Duncan vi. 259 The threads are traversed upon the bobbin, by a wheel similar to the common heart traverse, as it is called, used in water spinning. 1850 C. Holtzapffel III. 1189 A self-acting motion is given to the slide d, by which the work being faced is gradually traversed along the bearers c. 1902 8 Aug. 168/2 The work being rotated and traversed past the revolving wheel, the head of which is stationary. 2016 17 Nov. 759 The work table is mounted upon a knee, and can be moved vertically, toward or away from the head, by travel of the knee along a vertical track..and is traversed past the tooling during machining. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > mountaineer or climb [verb (transitive)] > climbing techniques society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > mountaineering or climbing > mountaineer or climb [verb (intransitive)] > climbing techniques 1813 W. Bullock (ed. 14) 34 Yet with the assistance of a short slender rope made of twisted hogs' bristles, did the well-known adventurous climber, or Rocksman, ‘Woolley Tomson’ traverse the face of this frightful precipice, and for a trifling remuneration brought up the young birds. 1876 Nov. 107 It was..necessary slightly to retrace our steps and to traverse the W. face for some short distance towards the N. Ere long we came to marks on the rocks which left no doubt that we had struck the usual route. 1897 O. G. Jones 269 The climber hangs by his hands,..and traverses across the face by sheer strength of his arms. 1987 Mar. 17/3 He is showing off his climbing prowess to the children by traversing a few feet along the outside wall of the hut. 2019 @ford_welsh 5 Apr. in twitter.com (accessed 8 Apr. 2019) We climbed up Pincher Ridge, and then traversed across to Victoria Ridge. society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance by drawing along > draw along or haul [verb (transitive)] > of a person 1814 W. Nicholson 94 So ha'e I seen..mystic knighthood o' the apron; Wi' empty pride, in monkish gown, Travish a Bible thro' the town. 1824 J. Mactaggart Travish, to carry after a trailing manner. society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > make zig-zag course society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct (one's course, steps, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > make zig-zag course society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skiing > ski [verb (intransitive)] > actions of skier society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skiing > ski [verb (transitive)] > ski down (slope) > diagonally 1905 D. M. M. C. Somerville et al. (ed. 2) 84 As a substitute for stemming a little of the swing is very useful for braking when traversing a steep slope. 1914 V. Caulfeild (rev. ed.) 115 When traversing in a normal position with the skis together, the upper foot should lead. 1985 (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) (ed. 5) 25 The easiest way to cope with moguls is firstly to traverse across and turn at the edges. 2011 R. Bates i. 92 Traversing the slope from the top of the Tchuggen run I hoped to reach the foot of the Hornli lift some way off. IV. To cause to cross or be crossed; to place in a crosswise position. c1440 (a1400) (Thornton) l. 354 In paulle purede with pane, fulle precyousely dyghte, Trofelyte and trauerste wythe trewloues in trete. 1548 f. vjv Twoo long gounes of yelowe satin, trauarsed with white satin. 1660 E. Warcupp tr. F. Schottus i. 11 There also lies the Mitre or Bonnet..with which every new Duke is Crowned. The which is traversed all over with the finest Gold, and pollish't. a1810 R. Tannahill (1846) 37 His chequered robes excited their surprise, Richly travers'd with various glowing dyes. 1548 f. lxxxxjv Their apparell was white veluet, embraudered with clothe of golde, wrought in deuice an harte, trauersed crosse wise with a chayn. 1572 J. Bossewell ii. f. 71v The fielde is d'Or, and Sable, trauersed in foure, per Pale and Cheuron. 1586 J. Ferne 222 Two swoordes trauersed barre-wayes, Argent: hilts, pomels, and neufes, Or. 1610 E. Bolton 21 Three parallel Arrowes trauersed barre-ways. 1894 J. Woodward ii. iii. 305 Naumberg (Zeitz) (Bishopric). Arms: Gules, a sword in bend-sinister proper, hilt in base, traversed by a key in bend, wards in chief or. 1987 D. J. D. Boulton (2000) vii. 246 The badge of his order: a sword traversed by a phylactery or scroll. 27. the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > lie across [verb (transitive)] the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > intersection > intersect [verb (intransitive)] > cross each other 1555 in R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria f. 330 It shalbe necessary that yow vse all possible diligence in well vpholdynge and fortyfyinge the caue with arches of waules trauersed with stronge postes of tymber after the maner of framed beames. 1669 S. Sturmy i. ii. 17 It bloweth a storm—furle the Sail fast, and fasten the Yards, that they may not travers and gall. 1677 7 Since the Bishops traversed the sword over the Crosiers Staff in their Arms, the Churchmen become Fighters and Executioners of Civil Justice. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter ii. vi. 196 A reinforcement..traversed the streets with barricadoes. 1978 H. P. Burlingame tr. Y. Trifonov in H. P. Burlingame & E. Proffer tr. Y. Trifonov 353 Throwing up building after building..laying bare the ancient soil, traversing it with giant concrete pipes. society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > barricade > [verb (transitive)] the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > shut up (a place) > with a barrier, fence, etc. 1828 J. M. Spearman 360 Of 170 shells, filled with powder, that were fired at the work when traversed, 58 took effect;..the effect on the traverses was considerable, and they were much ruined. 1918 (U.S. Army) (ed. 5) v. 336 A trench may be traversed by making an offset to the rear..and throwing up a bank of earth on the block left. 2012 R. Wilson iii. 69 These trenches could be traversed like the front-line trenches, though they could also be built in a straight line. Phrases1445–6 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Feb. 1445 §50. m. 2 If any man traverse any office take byfore any eschetour..no proteccion be allowyd nor alowable. a1558 W. Stanford (1567) f. 19v Therfore in a verie strong case one doth trauerse the office which is in the chancerie by reason the land is holden of him by knightes seruice and not of the king. 1727 S. Burroughs 13 When any of the King's subjects came into Chancery, and offered to traverse any office there. 1961 4 10 After the inquest, the commissioners naturally seized the manor into the king's hands; but the feofees traversed the office. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (transitive)] > actions 1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. ii. viii. f. 83/2, in R. Holinshed I To meete wyth hys enemie in the playne fielde..where he may trauaise his grounde. 1590 E. Spenser ii. viii. sig. T7v So both attonce him charge..With hideous strokes..That forced him his ground to trauerse wyde. 1625 K. Long tr. J. Barclay iv. xiii. 283 He..trauersed his ground, came on, and gaue backe, tyring his Enemy with change of play. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online June 2022). traverseadv.prep.Brit. /ˈtravəs/, /ˈtravəːs/, /trəˈvəːs/, U.S. /ˈtrævərs/, /trəˈvərs/ Origin: Of multiple origins. Apparently partly a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Apparently partly formed within English, by conversion. Etymons: a-travers adv.; traverse adj. Etymology: Apparently partly aphetic < a-travers adv., and partly use as adverb of traverse adj.With use as adverb compare earlier at (also in, on, etc.) (the) traverse at traverse n. Phrases 1. With use as preposition compare earlier a-travers prep., and also Anglo-Norman travers , in the same sense (early 14th cent. or earlier; the use as adverb is not paralleled in French: for the French equivalents see traverse n.). The variant with stress on the second syllable is given from the 18th cent., e.g. in Johnson. A. adv. the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > [adverb] c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) iii. l. 1907 (MED) Hector..smote of first his hed..But Meneste cam on hym as faste, Whan he be-hilde trauerse at his bake [L. ex transuerso], And with a spere..Smot hym in with grete violence. a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich liii. l. 211 Into A wast lawnde he happede there..and thus travers he Rod tyl Myd Nyht. 1640 J. Howell 7 A square of 550. miles travers. 1838 7 July Upon the lawn..three long tables were arranged, and at one end of these another table was placed traverse. 2012 2/1 The roll material..is cut traverse to produce diffusing films. the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > across [preposition] 1548 W. Patten G vij The furrowes laye trauers to their course. 1655 H. L'Estrange 68 Coming counter and travers of our Canon, they received the greater losse. 1933 G. H. Ashley 39 Much of this scraped-up material was deposited in the valleys, particularly those running traverse to the direction of movement of the ice. 1983 65 80/2 The channel is not directed from a downvalley course until it encounters a change to cohesive bank materials running traverse to the current direction. †B. prep.the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > across [preposition] 1548 f. iij After them came sir Thomas Brandon..clothed in tissue..and trauerse his body, a greate Bauderike of Gold. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden ii. 25 Hardly one by one can passe up, and that..by grees or steps, cut out aslope travers the rock. 1782 G. Crawford & W. Semple 317 The fesse possesses the third middle part of the field horizontally, by two lines, drawn traverse the escutcheon. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  n.a1393 adj.a1450v.a1325 adv.prep.c1425 |