transept

[ tran-sept ]

/ ˈtræn sɛpt /

any major transverse part of the body of a church, usually crossing the nave, at right angles, at the entrance to the choir.

an arm of this, on either side of the central aisle of a church.

Origin of transept

From the Anglo-Latin word trānseptum, dating back to 1530–40. See trans-, septum

tran·sep·tal, adjective tran·sep·tal·ly, adverb

The tower was doubtless erected about the same time as the transept.

Scottish Cathedrals and Abbeys |Dugald Butler and Herbert Story
The crossing of the nave and transept is covered with a dome carried on squinches, which dates from the first building.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4 |Various
A built-up doorway may be noticed under the first window from the west of this transept.

Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Winchester |Philip Walsingham Sergeant
Transept, the division of a church running north and south, forming the arms of a cross.

The Children of Westminster Abbey |Rose G. Kingsley

The aisles around the transept form the most imposing part of the church.

How France Built Her Cathedrals |Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly

transept

/ (ˈtrænsɛpt) /

either of the two wings of a cruciform church at right angles to the nave

transeptal, adjective

C16: from Anglo-Latin transeptum, from Latin trans- + saeptum enclosure