across, through
Quick Summary
Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary. The prefix trans- and its variant tra-, which mean “across,” appear in many English vocabulary words, for example: transmit, transform, and trajectory. Consider the word translation, which is the carrying “across” from one language into another.
Take the "Trans" Train
Today we will focus on the prefix trans- and its variant tra-, which mean “across.” Prefixes are morphemes which begin words, attaching to a word’s main part, or root, adding to the meaning of the word in some way.
The carrying “across” of people from one place to another is transportation, which can occur in many kinds of vehicles. When you transfer money from checkings to savings, you carry it “across” from one account to the other. A translucent substance allows some light to go “across” it to the other side. A transparent substance allows all light to go “across” it. And a translation? It is a going “across” from one language into another.
Imagine a transatlantic voyage, or one that goes “across” the Atlantic Ocean, made by a ship. This form of transit, or going “across” a passage, was once more common than it is now. When horrific storms came up on these long journeys, voyagers could often be transformed, their normal mode of behavior taken “across” into whole new forms of heroism and survival techniques.
A variant of the prefix trans-, tra-, also means “across.” A trajectory is the path that a thrown object travels “across” during its journey. When you traverse a country, you travel “across” it. And when you traduce someone’s character, you lead it from its current good state “across” to one of dishonor or disgrace.
Now you will be able to translate any word that you do not know with the prefix trans- in it into something having to do with going or being “across!”
- transportation: act of carrying ‘across’
- transfer: carry ‘across’
- translucent: of light going ‘across’
- transparent: of light going fully ‘across’
- translate: carry one language ‘across’ to another
- transatlantic: ‘across’ the Atlantic Ocean
- transit: a going ‘across’
- transform: to go from one shape ‘across’ to another
- trajectory: path thrown ‘across’
- traverse: turn ‘across’
- traduce: lead ‘across’
Related Rootcasts
- The Fascinating Parts of Words Morphology is the study of how words are put together by using morphemes, which include prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Parsing the different morphemes in a word reveals meaning and part of speech. For instance, the word “invention” includes the prefix in- + the root vent + the suffix -ion, from which is formed the noun “invention.”
- Etymology: Word Origins Etymology is that part of linguistics that studies word origins. English vocabulary words are formed from many different sources, especially Latin and Greek. By determining the origins of the morphemes in English words, one is better able to remember and determine the dictionary definitions of words.
Usage
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transpose
If you transpose two things, you make them change places or reverse their normal order.
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transmute
Something transmutes when it changes from one form or state into another.
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transience
Something that has the quality of transience lasts for only a short time or is constantly changing.
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intransigent
An intransigent person is stubborn; thus, they refuse to change their ideas or behavior, often in a way that seems unreasonable.
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traduce
If you traduce someone, you deliberately say hurtful and untrue things to damage their reputation.
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transmogrify
If something is transmogrified, its form or shape is changed completely, especially in a funny or exaggerated way.
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transgress
When someone transgresses something, such as rules of social behavior or moral principles, they violate a boundary or limit.
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transfix
If something transfixes you, it surprises, interests, or shocks you so much that you are unable to move or think of anything else.
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transcendent
Something that is transcendent not only surpasses all others in quality, achievement, or significance, but exceeds normal limits or boundaries.
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transcribe
If you transcribe something, such as a speech or other text, you write it or type it in full.
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travesty
If you say that one thing is a travesty of a second thing, you mean that the first is an extremely bad, crude, or absurd version of the second.
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transfuse
When something is transfused to another thing, it is given, put, or imparted to it; for example, you can transfuse blood or a love of reading from one person to another.
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translucent
A translucent object allows some light to pass through it.
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traverse
When you traverse something, such as the land or sea, you go across or travel through it.
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transport
When you transport something, you carry or move it from one place to another.
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transmit
When something is transmitted, it is sent from one place to another, such as information being sent from one computer to another.
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transfer
When you transfer something, you move or carry it from one place to another.
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transparent
If something is transparent, such as a window or a glass, you can see through it.
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transformation
a qualitative change
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transit
make a passage or journey from one place to another
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transition
cause to convert or undergo a transition
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transitory
lasting a very short time
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transportation
a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods
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