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transverse

lying or being across, or in a crosswise direction; athwart; often opposed to longitudinal.

(Science: geometry) Transverse axis (of an ellipse or hyperbola), that axis which passes through the foci.

(Science: botany) Transverse partition, a partition, as of a pericarp, at right angles with the valves, as in the siliques of mustard.

Origin: L. Transversus, p. P. Of transvertere to turn on direct across; trans across _ vertere to turn: cf. F. Transverse. See Verse, and cf. Traverse.

1. Anything that is transverse or athwart.

2. (Science: geometry) The longer, or transverse, axis of an ellipse.