Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
trans- Word Origin
- a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin (transcend; transfix); on this model, used with the meanings “across,” “beyond,” “through,” “changing thoroughly,” “transverse,” in combination with elements of any origin: transisthmian; trans-Siberian; transempirical; transvalue.
- Chemistry. a prefix denoting a geometric isomer having a pair of identical atoms or groups on the opposite sides of two atoms linked by a double bond.Compare cis-(def 2).
- Astronomy. a prefix denoting something farther from the sun (than a given planet): trans-Martian; trans-Neptunian.
- a prefix meaning “on the other side of,” referring to the misalignment of one’s gender identity with one’s biological sex assigned at birth: transgender; transsexual.
Origin of trans- Latin, combining form of trāns (adv. and preposition) across, beyond, through British Dictionary definitions for trans- trans- sometimes before s- tran- prefix
- across, beyond, crossing, on the other sidetransoceanic; trans-Siberian; transatlantic
- changing thoroughlytransliterate
- transcendingtransubstantiation
- transverselytransect
- (often in italics) indicating that a chemical compound has a molecular structure in which two groups or atoms are on opposite sides of a double bondtrans-butadiene Compare cis- (def. 2)
Word Origin for trans- from Latin trāns across, through, beyond Word Origin and History for trans-
prefix meaning “across, beyond, to go beyond,” from Latin trans-, from prep. trans “across, over, beyond,” probably originally present participle of a verb *trare-, meaning “to cross” (see through).
trans- in Medicine trans- pref.
- Across; on the other side; beyond:transilient.
- Through:transpiration.
- Change; transfer:transketolation.
- Having a pair of identical atoms on opposite sides of two atoms linked by a double bond. Used of a geometric isomer. Usually in italic:trans-butene.