transitive trust (n)~ The standard type of trust relationship between Windows domains in a domain tree or forest. When a domain joins an existing forest or domain tree a transitive trust is automatically established. Transitive trusts are always two-way relationships. This series of trusts between parent and child domains in a domain tree and between root domains of domain trees in a forest allows all domains in a forest to trust each other for the purposes of authentication. For example if domain A trusts domain B and domain B trusts domain C then domain A trusts domain C.