transpontine
Definitions
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- adjective Situated or existing across or beyond a bridge; specifically, belonging to the part of London lying on the Surrey side of the Thames: applied to the Surrey and Victoria theaters, at which cheap melodrama was formerly popular, and hence, in London theatrical parlance, to any play of a cheap, melodramatic character.
Examples
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When he arrived at Pillingshot's seat and found it empty, an expression passed over his face like unto that of the baffled villain in transpontine melodrama.
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He liked to pose in secret as a sort of transpontine schemer; that flattered his self-importance; but his ambition did not seriously go beyond making trouble in a legitimate way.
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The skirts of the shirt were worn outside his trousers, so that his tout ensemble was exactly that of a dashing pirate or smuggler bold, as that interesting individual is presented on the boards of a third-rate transpontine theatre of the present day.
The Rover's Secret A Tale of the Pirate Cays and Lagoons of Cuba, by Harry Collingwood
Note
This word comes from the Latin 'trans,' across, over, beyond, plus 'pons,' bridge.
