\Trans*verse"\, a. [L. transversus, p. p. of
transvertere to turn on direct across; trans across + vertere
to turn: cf. F. transverse. See {Verse}, and cf. {Traverse}.]
Lying or being across, or in a crosswise direction; athwart;
-- often opposed to {longitudinal}.
{Transverse axis} (of an ellipse or hyperbola) (Geom.), that
   axis which passes through the foci.
{Transverse partition} (Bot.), a partition, as of a pericarp,
   at right angles with the valves, as in the siliques of
   mustard.

\Trans"verse\, n.
1. Anything that is transverse or athwart.
2. (Geom.) The longer, or transverse, axis of an ellipse.

\Trans*verse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Transversed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Transversing}.]
To overturn; to change. [R.] --C. Leslie.

\Trans*verse"\, v. t. [Pref. trans- + verse, n.
Cf.{Transpose}.]
To change from prose into verse, or from verse into prose.
[Obs.] --Duke of Buckingham.