Transept: the area of a cruciform church that is perpendicular to the main axis. The crossing is the bay where the transept crosses the main body of the church. The transept is also referred to simply as the cross. The word comes from Latin trans (across) and secare (to cut). Thus, it means across or through. The transept usually extends beyond the nave and choir to either side, but not always. It may stop short if there are a number of small rooms off the nave and choir, for example, in a monastic church. Or it may continue all the way to the walls of the church if there's room enough. In a large cathedral with a transept, there is often an octagonal chapter house attached to one end. This may be where meetings of the cathedral council were held until the late 13th century, when they were moved into the bishop's palace next door. If there is no chapter house, then a series of rooms may have been built instead. These could be used for various purposes by the cathedral clergy and their assistants. There might be a school where children could be taught along with the regular students in the cathedral schools. There might be a library where books could be stored. There might be a kitchen where food could be prepared for the staff and visitors.