DCHP-1 Online

traverse ((1)) ((n.)) [< Cdn F < F "way across"]

• 1a n. Hist. an open stretch of water, as a widening in a river or a course across a lake, where canoes or boats are required to leave the shelter of the shoreline.

  See also: crossing  

  • 1789  (1963)  From this stop Mackenzie sailed west-northwest "to the foot of a traverse, the opposite Land bearing South-West. . . ."
  • 1860  (1956)  No one ever yet attempted this "traverse" in small boats.

• 1b n. especially in make a traverse, the journey, often dangerous, across such an open stretch.

  See also: traverse ((1)) ((v.))  (def. 1)  

  • 1793  (1933)  Started at sunrise, made the traverse to the entrance of the Red River Streight.
  • 1821  (1900)  We had here a Traverse to make of about 3 Leagues.
  • 1872  If overtaken . . . in a long traverse . . . across large bays and big lakes, the heavy "parla" (red canvas oilcloth) used to be thrown over the goods as a storm deck. . . .
  • 1943  "You watch yourself, and wait for a good day afore ye make that traverse!"
  • 1963  And following their example, we each stepped from the canoe wearing a cedar sprig in his hat; for this was the voyageur's way of telling the world a man had made his first traverse. . . .

• 2a n. Hist. on the prairies, a stretch of open land between bluffs which were used for shelter, the open prairie being hazardous in winter.

  • 1799  (1897)  My route lay directly across an open plain for 15 or 20 miles. About the middle of the traverse I was suddenly seized with a violent colic; the pain was so great that I could not keep my saddle.
  • 1880  East of this, there is a treeless plain or "traverse, " as such tracts are called, probably because when once entered they must be crossed ere good camping-ground can be reached.

• 2b n. Hist. the journey across such a stretch of open prairie.

  See also: traverse ((1)) ((v.))  (def. 2)  

  • 1913  The trading and hunting parties sent out over these treeless prairies had many a battle with the blizzard in crossing them in winter by "traverses" occupying days between the infrequent patches where wood was to be found.

• 3 n. Obs. a ford.

  • 1826  (1826, 1914)  We could cross the river on a fallen tree and the horses could swim at an old traverse, a little below.
  • 1827  (1912)  The traverses today were deep and the current strong which obliged us to ford hand in hand for personal safety.

• 4 n. the act or process of carrying canoes, boats, supplies, etc. at such a place.

  See also: portage ((n.)) (def. 2a).  

  • 1963  . . . even then passengers and freight made a traverse across country over a height of land. . . .