Traversing

tra·verse  (tr-vûrs, trvrs)

v. tra·versed, tra·vers·ing, tra·vers·es

v.tr.

1. To travel or pass across, over, or through.

2. To move to and fro over; cross and recross.

3. To go up, down, or across (a slope) diagonally, as in skiing.

4. To cause to move laterally on a pivot; swivel: traverse an artillery piece.

5. To extend across; cross: a bridge that traverses a river.

6. To look over carefully; examine.

7. To go counter to; thwart.

8. Law

a. To deny formally (an allegation of fact by the opposing party) in a suit. See Synonyms at deny.

b. To join issue upon (an indictment).

9. To survey by traverse.

10. Nautical To brace (a yard) fore and aft.

v.intr.

1. To move to the side or back and forth.

2. To turn laterally; swivel.

3.

a. To go up, down, or across a slope diagonally or in a zigzag manner, as in skiing.

b. To slide one's blade with pressure toward the hilt of the opponent's foil in fencing.

n. trav·erse (trvrs, tr-vûrs)

1. A passing across, over, or through.

2. A route or path across or over.

3. Something that lies across, especially:

a. An intersecting line; a transversal.

b. Architecture A structural crosspiece; a transom.

c. A gallery, deck, or loft crossing from one side of a building to the other.

d. A railing, curtain, screen, or similar barrier.

e. A defensive barrier across a rampart or trench, as a bank of earth thrown up to protect against enfilade fire.

4. Something that obstructs and thwarts; an obstacle.

5. Nautical The zigzag route of a vessel forced by contrary winds to sail on different courses.

6. A zigzag or diagonal course on a steep slope, as in skiing.

7.

a. A lateral movement, as of a lathe tool across a piece of wood.

b. A part of a mechanism that moves in this manner.

c. The lateral swivel of a mounted gun.

8. A line established by sighting in surveying a tract of land.

9. Law A formal denial of the opposing party's allegation of fact in a suit.

adj. trav·erse (trvrs, tr-vûrs)

Lying or extending across; transverse.

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[Middle English traversen, from Old French traverser, from Vulgar Latin *trversre, from Late Latin trnsversre, from Latin trnsversus, transverse; see transverse.]

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tra·versa·ble adj.

tra·versal n.

tra·verser n.