Transversely: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this term in scientific or technical contexts to describe something that is oriented across an axis or direction.

• The MRI scan showed a cut transversely through the brain
• The engineers placed the beam transversely to ensure stability

This word is best used when describing something or someone moving or oriented to the side rather than forward or backward. It can also be used metaphorically to describe indirect situations.

• The car slid sideways on the icy road
• He glanced sideways at her, unsure what to say

This word is useful in everyday situations or when giving instructions, especially when referring to positions or movements across in a diagonal or intersecting manner.

• Cut the vegetables crosswise
• They arranged the tiles crosswise for a unique pattern

This term is commonly used to describe something that runs parallel to the horizon or ground. Suitable for both everyday use and technical situations.

• Mount the TV horizontally on the wall
• The horizon stretched out horizontally in the distance

Used when something is oriented or positioned across something else, typically not necessarily forming a right angle.

• The bridge was built transversely across the river.
• The fibers in the muscle are arranged transversely.

Commonly used in everyday language to describe lines or planes that meet or intersect at a right angle.

• The sign was hung perpendicularly to the wall.
• The ladder was placed perpendicularly to the ground.

Used in more technical or mathematical contexts to describe lines, vectors, axes, or planes that form right angles to each other.

• In coordinate geometry, the x and y axes are orthogonally arranged.
• The vectors are orthogonally aligned in the 3D space.