transept

[ tran-sept ]

nounArchitecture.
  1. any major transverse part of the body of a church, usually crossing the nave, at right angles, at the entrance to the choir.

  2. an arm of this, on either side of the central aisle of a church.

Origin of transept

1
From the Anglo-Latin word trānseptum, dating back to 1530–40. See trans-, septum

Other words from transept

  • tran·sep·tal, adjective
  • tran·sep·tal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby transept

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How to use transept in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for transept

transept

/ (ˈtrænsɛpt) /


noun
  1. either of the two wings of a cruciform church at right angles to the nave

Origin of transept

1
C16: from Anglo-Latin transeptum, from Latin trans- + saeptum enclosure

Derived forms of transept

  • transeptal, adjective

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