Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Transverse \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.