transect
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /trænˈsɛkt/
KK: /trænˈsɛkt/
noun
Definition
A long, continuous strip of land or area used for sampling or studying things like plants or animals.
Example
The researchers set up a transect to study the plant diversity in the forest.
Conversation
Have you ever walked through a transect in the forest?
Yeah, I did that for my biology class last year!
It was fascinating to see all the different plants along the transect.
Absolutely! It's amazing how much diversity can be found in just one area.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
strip
section
segment
Antonyms
whole
entirety
totality
transitive verb
Definition
To cut across or divide something, especially in a way that creates sections or parts.
Example
The researchers decided to transect the forest to study the different ecosystems.
Tense Forms
Past: transected
Past Participle: transected
Conversation
Did you see how they transect the land for the new park?
Yeah, it’s interesting to watch them cut through like that.
I wonder how they decide where to transect it.
Root Explanation
Transect → It is formed from "trans-" (meaning across) and "secare" (meaning to cut). The word describes the act of cutting across something, often used in contexts like surveying or biology to refer to a line or path that crosses an area.
Memory Tip
Picture cutting something 'across' — 'trans-' means across, and 'secare' means to cut. This helps you remember that transect means to cut across an area.
Visually Confused Words
trisect
traject