transom
transom
UK[ˈtrænsəm]US[ˈtrænsəm]
n
a horizontal bar of wood or stone across the top of a door or window.
n
a horizontal beam across the stern of a boat.
n
a window placed above the crosspiece of a door or larger window.
Etymology
the word "transom" entered english in the late 14th century from the old french "traversin," meaning a crossbeam, which itself derived from the latin "transtrum," meaning a crossbeam, especially in a ship. this latin term is related to "trans," meaning "across," reflecting the beam's function of lying across a structure. over time, its meaning specialized in english to refer to the crossbar over a door or window, and later to the small window above it, maintaining the core concept of a transverse element.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived as a whole from latin.
Examples
light streamed into the hallway through the fanlight above the transom.
the sailor leaned against the transom at the stern of the boat.
they installed a new transom window to improve ventilation in the room.