transverse dune

American  

noun

transverse dunes plural

1. a type of sand dune occurring in windy environments with sparse vegetation, having a gentle slope on its windward side and a steep slope on the other side. Compare longitudinal dune.

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transverse dune Scientific  

/ trăns-vûrs′,trăns′vûrs′ /

1. A large, strongly asymmetrical, elongated dune lying at right angles to the prevailing wind direction. Transverse dunes have a gently sloping windward side and a steeply sloping leeward side. They generally form in areas of sparse vegetation and abundant sand. Most beach dunes are transverse dunes.

2. See illustration at dune Compare longitudinal dune

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• transverse dunes
  plural