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Origin and history of transom

transom(n.)

mid-14c., transeyn, traunsom, trannesson, etc., "a crossbeam spanning an opening, lintel," a word of uncertain origin. Probably (Middle English Compendium, etc.) by dissimilation or otherwise from Latin transtrum "crossbeam" (especially one spanning an opening), from trans "across, beyond" (see trans-) + instrumental suffix -trum.

It was extended in architecture by c. 1500 to the horizontal bar of timber or stone across a window, then by 19c. to the cross-bar separating a door from the fanlight over it. The meaning "small window over a door or other window" is recorded by 1844 (short for transom-window).

[Businessman/author Clarence Randall] called himself an "over-the-transom" author, quoting his friend Edward Weeks, editor of the Atlantic Monthly, where Mr. Randall's first literary work appeared .... Mr. Weeks once said that some very interesting material comes from writers who, too shy to walk in and talk to the editor, just toss their manuscripts over the transom and run. [Chicago Tribune, Feb. 8, 1953]

It also could mean "beam of a gallows" (1610s) and has technical uses in carpentry, ship-building, carriage-making, gunnery, etc. Related: Transomed.

also from mid-14c.

Entries linking to transom

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.

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.

*tere-(2)

*terə- Proto-Indo-European root meaning "cross over, pass through, overcome."

It might form all or part of: avatar; caravanserai; nectar; nectarine; nostril; seraglio; thrill; thorough; through; tranche; trans-; transient; transom; trench; truculent; truncate; trunk.

It might also be the source of: Sanskrit tirah, Avestan taro "through, beyond;" Latin trans "beyond;" Old Irish tre, Welsh tra "through;" Old English þurh "through."

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