Trans- | Meaning Of Prefix Trans- By Etymonline

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Origin and history of trans-

trans-

word-forming element meaning "across, beyond, through, on the other side of; go beyond," from Latin trans (prep.) "across, over, beyond," perhaps originally present participle of a verb *trare-, meaning "to cross," from PIE *tra-, variant of root *tere- (2) "cross over, pass through, overcome" [Watkins].

Besides its use in numerous English words taken from Latin words with this prefix, it is used to some extent as an English formative .... It is commonly used in its literal sense, but also as implying complete change, as in transfigure, transform, etc. [Century Dictionary]

In chemical use indicating "a compound in which two characteristic groups are situated on opposite sides of an axis of a molecule" [Flood].

Many trans- words in Middle English via Old French arrived originally as tres-, due to sound changes in French, but most English spellings were restored later; trespass and trestle being exceptions.

Entries linking to trans-

trespass(v.)

c. 1300, trespassen, "transgress in some active manner, commit an aggressive offense; to sin, behave badly in general," from Old French trespasser "pass beyond or across, cross, traverse; infringe, violate," from tres- "beyond" (from Latin trans; see trans-) + passer "go by, pass" (see pass (v.)).

In old civil law, generally, "commit any transgression not amounting to a felony;" specifically by mid-15c. as "enter or pass through (land) without right or permission" first attested in royal forest laws. To trespass against (c. 1300) is "injure, offend, maltreat; display willful disregard." Related: Trespassed; trespasser; trespassing.

trestle(n.)

also tressel, c. 1300, "a support for something," typically two-legged and used in pairs, supporting planks or boards as a table, etc.; from Old French trestel "crossbeam" (12c., Modern French tréteu), presumed to be an alteration of Vulgar Latin *transtellum, *transtillum, diminutive of transtrum "beam, crossbar" (see transom).

It is attested by mid-14c. as "uprights and a crossbeam as a bracing or supporting structure." The specific meaning "support for a bridge" is recorded from 1796. As a verb by 1879. Trestle-bridge is attested from 1823; trestle-table by 1849; trestle-bed by 1834.

• betray
• tradition
• traduce
• traffic
• traitor
• trajectory
• trance
• trans
• transact
• transaction
• transalpine
• transatlantic
• transcalent
• transcend
• transcontinental
• transcribe
• transducer
• transect
• See All Related Words (75)

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traduce1530s, "alter, change over, transport," from Latin traducere "change over, convert," also "lead in parade, make a show of, dishonor, disgrace," originally "lead along or across, bring through, transfer" (source also of French traduire, Spanish traducir, Italian tradurre), from trtrafficc. 1500, "trade, commerce," from French trafique (15c.), from Italian traffico (14c.), from trafficare "carry on trade," of uncertain origin, perhaps from a Vulgar Latin *transfricare "to rub across," from Latin trans "across" (see trans-) + fricare "to rub" (see friction),trajectory"path described by a body moving under the influence of given forces," 1690s, from Modern Latin trajectorium, from trajectorius "of or pertaining to throwing across," from Latin traiectus "thrown over or across," past participle of traicere "throw across, shoot across," from Latitrespassfrom Old French trespasser "pass beyond or across, cross, traverse; infringe, violate," from tres- "beyond" (from Latin trans...; see trans-) + passer "go by, pass" (see pass (v.))....tranquilitytranquillitatem (nominative tranquillitas) "quietness, stillness; serenity," from tranquillus "quiet, calm, still," perhaps from trans...accelerate, "make quicker" (implied in accelerating), from Latin acceleratus, past participle of accelerare "to hasten, quicken" (trans...pause) and directly from Latin pausa "a halt, stop, cessation," from Greek pausis "stopping, ceasing," from pauein "to stop (trans...clue"anything that guides or directs in an intricate case," 1590s, a special use of a revised spelling of clew "a ball of thread or yarn" (q.v.). The word, which is native Germanic, in Middle English was clewe, also cleue; some words borrowed from Old French in -ue, -eu also were speJesuspersonal name of the Christian Savior, late 12c.; it is the Greek form of Joshua, used variously in translations of the Bible. From Late Latin Iesus (properly pronounced as three syllables), from Greek Iesous, which is an attempt to render into Greek the Aramaic (Semitic) proper philosophyc. 1300, philosophie, "knowledge, learning, scholarship, scholarly works, body of knowledge," from Old French filosofie "philosophy, knowledge" (12c., Modern French philosophie) and directly from Latin philosophia, from Greek philosophia "love of knowledge, pursuit of wisdom; sys

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‘cite’Page URL:https://www.etymonline.com/word/trans-CopyHTML Link:<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/trans-">Etymology of trans- by etymonline</a>CopyAPA Style:Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of trans-. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/trans-CopyChicago Style:Harper Douglas, "Etymology of trans-," Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed December 31, 2025, https://www.etymonline.com/word/trans-.CopyMLA Style:Harper, Douglas. "Etymology of trans-." Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/trans-. Accessed 31 December, 2025.CopyIEEE Style:D. Harper. "Etymology of trans-." Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/trans- (accessed December 31, 2025).CopyRemove AdsAdvertisement

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TrendingDictionary entries near trans-

• trannie
• tranquil
• tranquility
• tranquilize
• tranquilizer
• trans-
• trans
• transact
• transaction
• transactional
• transalpine

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