Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
transept [tran-sept] ExamplesWord Origin noun Architecture.
- any major transverse part of the body of a church, usually crossing the nave, at right angles, at the entrance to the choir.
- an arm of this, on either side of the central aisle of a church.
Origin of transept From the Anglo-Latin word trānseptum, dating back to 1530–40. See trans-, septum Related formstran·sep·tal, adjectivetran·sep·tal·ly, adverb Examples from the Web for transept Historical Examples of transept
However, it was these portions of the transept and the apse which had the least suffered.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
Next, Pierre turned into the transept on the left, where stand the confessionals.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
There is an attractive window in this transept, the gift of Edward IV.
England, Picturesque and Descriptive
Joel Cook
Its total length is about 265 feet with a transept of about 109 feet long.
Walter Crum Watson
Only the chancel with its flanking chapels and the transept have been built.
Walter Crum Watson
British Dictionary definitions for transept transept noun
- either of the two wings of a cruciform church at right angles to the nave
Derived Formstranseptal, adjectiveWord Origin for transept C16: from Anglo-Latin transeptum, from Latin trans- + saeptum enclosure Word Origin and History for transept n.
“transverse section of a cruciform church,” 1530s, from Medieval Latin transeptum, from Latin trans- “across” (see trans-) + saeptum “fence, partition, enclosure” (see septum). Rare before 1700.