transept

tran·sept

T0315800 (trăn′sĕpt′)n.1. The transverse part of a cruciform church, crossing the nave at right angles.2. Either of the two lateral arms of such a part.

[New Latin trānsēptum : Latin trāns-, trans- + Latin saeptum, partition; see septum.]

tran·sep′tal (-sĕp′təl) adj.

transept

(ˈtrænsɛpt) n (Ecclesiastical Terms) either of the two wings of a cruciform church at right angles to the nave[C16: from Anglo-Latin transeptum, from Latin trans- + saeptum enclosure] tranˈseptal adj

tran•sept

(ˈtræn sɛpt)

n. 1. any major transverse part of the body of a church, usu. 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. [1530–40; < Anglo-Latin trānseptum. See trans-, septum] tran•sep′tal, adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

transept - structure forming the transverse part of a cruciform church; crosses the nave at right angleschurch building, church - a place for public (especially Christian) worship; "the church was empty"structure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons"

Translations

transepttransetto

transept

(trăn`sĕpt'), term applied to the transverse portion of a building cutting its main axis at right angles or to each arm of such a portion. Transepts are found chiefly in churches, where, extending north and south from the main body, they create a cruciform plan. They may consist of a central portion as wide as the church nave, with two side aisles or with only one. The rectangular or square space formed by the intersection with the nave is termed the crossing. The cross-hall of vaulted Roman basilicas probably inspired the builders of early Christian churches. This position of the transept remained unchanged. In Romanesque churches the transept became universal, while the development of vaulting unified it organically with the body of the building. Its height equaled that of the nave, while the heavy piers of the crossing frequently supported an exterior dome or tower. Transepts furnished additional space for altars and chapels. In some French Gothic cathedrals transepts projected only slightly from the building. Their ends, however, were richly emphasized externally, with sculptured portals and rose windows, as at Chartres and Amiens, or with a tower, as at Le Mans. In England the transepts, furnishing practically the only opportunity for altars, were long and of deep projection. The need for still more space resulted in the frequent provision of a second and minor transept farther east, behind the choir, as at Salisbury.

Transept

The space that crosses at a right angle to the nave of a building; may be the same size as the nave in a cruciform building, or larger.

transept

The transverse portion of a church crossing the main axis at a right angle and producing a cruciform plan.

transept

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

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Words related to transept

noun structure forming the transverse part of a cruciform church

Related Words