Forms: 6 transsept, 7 -scept, 8– transept. [First found in 16th c., ad. med. or mod.(Anglo-)L. *transseptum, f. TRANS- + SEPTUM, prop. sæptum hedge, fence, enclosure, f. sæpīre to hedge in, fence in, enclose. (Early history and actual origin unascertained.) Hence mod.E. transept (introd. 1828). The Anglo-L. transeptum is often used by Leland, and in one instance Englished as transsept; but the word was rare before 1700.] The transverse part of a cruciform church considered apart from the nave; also, each of the two subdivisions or arms of this (the north and south transepts).
1538–42. Leland, Itin. (1907), I. II. 131. It stode in the midle of the transeptum of the chirch. Ibid., III. 239. One Sir John Scylley a knight and his wyfe sumtyme dwellyng in that paroche [Crideton] be buried in the north part of the transsept [ed. 1711 transept] of this [church]. Ibid., 287. In Transepto Eccl. in Merid. parte. Ibid., 292. An exceding goodly Chapel in Transepto of Bishop Stillington and King.
1692. Wood, Ath. Oxon., Fasti, 821. His body was buried in the south Transcept or large south Isle joyning to the Choir of St. Peter’s Church in Westminster.
1782. Warton, Hist. Kiddington, 8. The pediment of the southern Transept is pinnacled, not inelegantly, with a flourished Cross.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, I. 130. The part running north and south is called the cross or transept.
1870. F. R. Wilson, Ch. Lindisf., 79. The chancel roof,… like those of the nave and transepts, is open-timbered.
b. attrib. and Comb., as transept aisle, chapel.
1890. C. H. Moore, Gothic Archit., iii. 160. Where there are no transept aisles … there are … no vertical divisions in the façade [end of transept].
1900. Yorkshire Archæological Jrnl., XV. 281. The vaults of the presbytery and transept-chapels.
