trans
trans — adjective
1. describes how atoms sit on opposing ends of a double carbon bond or ring structu
describes how atoms sit on opposing ends of a double carbon bond or ring structure, rather than clustering together on one side (the arrangement called cis)
Hiro and Adina compared the trans isomer with the cis version in their lab report.
trans isomer vs. cis isomer — contrasting chemical structures
The chemist explained that trans fats have a different molecular shape from cis fats.
trans fats — common compound noun using the prefix
When the bond is trans, the two atoms sit on opposite sides of the chain.
Linh studied the structure of trans-2-butene during her organic chemistry exam.
- E-isomer
IUPAC-preferred term for certain trans configurations; more formal and precise in academic chemistry writing
- cis
describes the arrangement where atoms are on the same side of the bond
用法筆記
Frequently paired with 'cis' to describe the two possible arrangements. Common in food science when discussing trans fats in processed foods.
常見錯誤
2. describes a person whose personal sense of their own gender is different from th
describes a person whose personal sense of their own gender is different from the sex they were officially recorded as having at birth
Meera came out as trans during her second year at university.
The clinic now offers hormone therapy and counseling for trans patients.
collocation: trans patients — healthcare context
Christopher wrote an article about the experiences of trans teenagers in school sports.
Liam's younger sibling is trans and has found strong support from friends at school.
The library has a section with books by and about trans people.
- transgender
the full form of the word; slightly more formal but interchangeable in most contexts
- cisgender
describes a person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth
用法筆記
Shortened form of 'transgender'. Used as an adjective, not a noun — write 'trans people' rather than 'transgenders'. Always respect the person's stated identity.
常見錯誤
trans — prefix
1. attached to words to mean 'across', 'on the other side of', or 'through' — for e
attached to words to mean 'across', 'on the other side of', or 'through' — for example, a transatlantic flight goes across the Atlantic Ocean
Mauricio took a transatlantic flight from New York to London for the conference.
transatlantic — across the Atlantic Ocean
The trans-Siberian railway is one of the longest train routes in the world.
trans-Siberian — across Siberia
Caleb studied the transcontinental railroad that connected the east and west coasts of America.
The cargo ship made a transpacific journey carrying electronics from China to Chile.
- cross-
similar meaning of 'across', but more common in words like cross-border or cross-Channel; less productive than trans-
用法筆記
Combines freely with place names and geographic words (transatlantic, transcontinental, transborder). Usually hyphenated when the root word is a proper noun (trans-Siberian).
2. attached to words to mean 'changing from one thing, place, or state to another'
attached to words to mean 'changing from one thing, place, or state to another' or 'moving something to a different position'
Élise needed a heart transplant after years of heart disease.
transplant — moving an organ from one body to another
The old factory was transformed into a modern art gallery with white walls and big windows.
Ayana used a translation app to read the Japanese menu at the restaurant.
The company plans to transfer its warehouse operations to a larger building outside the city.
Ingrid wants to become a nurse and help with blood transfusions at the local hospital.
- re-
also indicates change (remake, rebuild), but more about 'again' than 'across' or 'to another state'
用法筆記
This is the most productive sense of the prefix. It appears in many common English words (transport, transform, translate, transfer, transplant, transfusion). The core idea is always a movement or conversion from one location or state to another.
常見錯誤
3. appended to chemical names when the atoms being described sit across from one an
appended to chemical names when the atoms being described sit across from one another on either end of a double carbon bond — the opposite arrangement from cis
Cyrus studied the boiling points of cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene for his lab report.
trans-2-butene — chemical naming convention
Food manufacturers are now required to list trans-fat content clearly on nutrition labels.
The textbook showed a diagram of a trans double bond with the hydrogen atoms on opposite sides.
The research paper compared how cis and trans fatty acids behave differently in the human body.
- cis-
the prefix indicating atoms are on the same side of the bond
用法筆記
Used as a prefix in systematic chemical nomenclature, typically hyphenated before the compound name. Contrast this with the adjective sense (adj/1) which describes the resulting property of the molecule.
trans — abbreviation
1. written abbreviation for 'transaction', meaning a business deal or exchange of m
written abbreviation for 'transaction', meaning a business deal or exchange of money, goods, or services
The bank statement listed every trans. made during the month of January.
trans. — written abbreviation with period
Liam checked the credit card trans. from his trip to Japan last summer.
The receipt showed a cash trans. at the grocery store on Elm Street.
Every online trans. is recorded in the customer's account history for tax purposes.
用法筆記
Found mainly in financial records, receipts, and banking documents. Always written with a period (trans.) in formal writing.
2. written abbreviation for 'transitive', describing a verb that must be followed b
written abbreviation for 'transitive', describing a verb that must be followed by a direct object to form a complete sentence
In the dictionary, the letter 'T' stands for 'trans.' meaning a transitive verb.
trans. — grammar notation in dictionaries
Adina looked up 'enjoy' and saw that it was marked 'trans.' in the grammar notes.
The verb 'kick' is labelled trans. because it needs a direct object like 'the ball'.
Learners should check whether each verb is trans. or intr. before writing a sentence.
- intr.
abbreviation for intransitive, meaning the verb does not take a direct object
用法筆記
Commonly used in dictionaries and grammar reference works alongside 'intr.' (intransitive) to label verb types.
3. written abbreviation for 'translation', 'translated', or 'translator' — referrin
written abbreviation for 'translation', 'translated', or 'translator' — referring to the process or person that converts text from one language to another
The bibliography listed Smith, J. (trans.) for the English version of the novel.
trans. — bibliographic abbreviation for translator
Ingrid wrote 'trans. from French by M. Laurent' on the title page of her thesis.
The footnote at the bottom said 'trans. from the original German manuscript.'
Hiro checked the trans. credits at the end of the film to see who did the subtitles.
用法筆記
Appears in bibliographies, academic citations, and book title pages. Can stand for 'translation', 'translated by', or 'translator' depending on context.
4. written abbreviation for 'transmission', especially the system in a vehicle that
written abbreviation for 'transmission', especially the system in a vehicle that sends power from the engine to the wheels
The mechanic said the trans. in Caleb's car needed to be replaced soon.
trans. — mechanical/automotive abbreviation
The repair manual shows how to check the fluid level in the automatic trans.
The trans. fluid was dark and smelled burnt, so the mechanic flushed the system.
Ayana took her truck to the shop for a full trans. inspection before the long trip.
用法筆記
Used mainly in automotive repair guides, vehicle service records, and parts catalogs. The full word 'transmission' is more common in everyday speech.
5. written abbreviation for 'transportation', meaning the system or activity of mov
written abbreviation for 'transportation', meaning the system or activity of moving people or goods from one place to another
The city's Dept. of Trans. announced new bus routes for the downtown area.
Dept. of Trans. — government department abbreviation
Mauricio works for the local trans. authority managing the train schedules.
The school's trans. department runs twelve buses every morning and afternoon.
The city increased the trans. budget to repair the old train tracks and stations.
用法筆記
More common in American English than British English. Often appears in government agency names (e.g. 'Dept. of Trans.' or 'DOT').
6. written abbreviation for 'transverse', meaning positioned or lying across someth
written abbreviation for 'transverse', meaning positioned or lying across something, especially a body part or structure
The surgeon cut along the trans. muscle in the patient's abdomen during the procedure.
trans. — medical/anatomical abbreviation
The anatomy textbook labelled the trans. colon in the diagram of the digestive system.
The MRI scan showed a small tear in the trans. ligament of the patient's knee.
Doctors examined a trans. section of the spine to check for nerve damage.
用法筆記
Found mainly in medical anatomy texts, surgical notes, and biological diagrams. The full word 'transverse' is preferred in most other contexts.