Traverse Meaning
/tɹəˈvɝs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA route used in mountaineering, specifically rock climbing, in which the descent occurs by a different route than the ascent.
nounA 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.
Sentence Examples
Unfamiliar terrain can be difficult to traverse.
They had to traverse an uncharted mountain range.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hikers needed to ____ the wide river using a rope bridge.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The explorers had to ____ the high mountains and the deep valleys to reach the hidden city in the desert today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English traversen, from Old French traverser, from Latin trans (“across”) + versus (“turned”), perfect passive participle of Latin vertere (“to turn”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"At the entrance of the king, the first traverse was drawn, and the lower descent of the mountain discovered, which was the pendant of a hill to life, with divers boscages and grovets upon the steep or hanging grounds thereof."
— 1811, Ben Jonson, The Dramatic Works: Embellished with Portraits, volume 4, page 571:
"Than sholde ye see there pressynge in a pace / Of one and other that wolde this lady see, / Whiche sat behynde a traves of sylke fyne, / Of golde of tessew the fynest that myghte be […]"
— 1499, John Skelton, The Bowge of Court:
"At the entrance of the king, / The first traverse was drawn."
— 1613, Francis Beaumont, The Masque of the Inner Temple and Gray's Inn:
"At night, when the Federal guns slowed their fire, the men created new traverses and bombproofs."
— 1994, Stephen R. Wise, Gate of Hell: Campaign for Charleston Harbor, 1863, page 160:
"The whole care of the vessel rested, therefore, upon me, and I was obliged to direct her by my former experience, not being able to work a traverse."
— 1789, Olaudah Equiano, chapter 7, in The Interesting Narrative, volume I:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hikers needed to ____ the wide river using a rope bridge.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The explorers had to ____ the high mountains and the deep valleys to reach the hidden city in the desert today.