Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TRAV'ERSE, v.i.

1. In fencing, to use the posture or motions of opposition or counteraction. To see thee fight, to see thee traverse. – Shak.
2. To turn, as on a pivot; to move round; to swivel. The needle of a compass traverses; if it does not traverse well it is an unsafe guide.
3. In the manege, to cut the tread crosswise, as a horse that throws his croup to one side and his head to the other. – Cyc.