cross

¹cross

noun \ˈkrȯs\

Definition of CROSS

1

a : a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution

b often capitalized : the cross on which Jesus was crucified

2

a : crucifixion

b : an affliction that tries one's virtue, steadfastness, or patience

3

: a cruciform sign made to invoke the blessing of Christ especially by touching the forehead, breast, and shoulders

4

a : a device composed of an upright bar traversed by a horizontal one; specifically : one used as a Christian symbol

b capitalized : the Christian religion

5

: a structure (as a monument) shaped like or surmounted by a cross

6

: a figure or mark formed by two intersecting lines crossing at their midpoints; specifically : such a mark used as a signature

7

: a cruciform badge, emblem, or decoration

8

: the intersection of two ways or lines : crossing

9

: annoyance, thwarting <a cross in love>

10

a : an act of crossing dissimilar individuals

b : a crossbred individual or kind

c : one that combines characteristics of two different types or individuals

11

a : a fraudulent or dishonest contest

b : dishonest or illegal practices —used especially in the phrase on the cross

12

: a movement from one part of a theater stage to another

13

a : a punch thrown over the opponent's lead in boxing

b : an attacking pass in soccer played across the field from one side to the other or to the middle

14

: a security transaction in which a broker acts for both buyer and seller (as in the placing of a large lot of common stock) —called also cross-trade

Examples of CROSS

1. a necklace with a gold cross
2. The teacher marked the absent students on her list with crosses.
3. Those who could not write signed their names with a cross.

Illustration of CROSS

Origin of CROSS

Middle English, from Old English, from Old Norse or Old Irish; Old Norse kross, from Old Irish cros, from Latin cruc-, crux

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CROSS

Synonyms

trial, crucible, fire, gauntlet (also gantlet), ordeal

Related Words

baptism, initiation; adversity, affliction, asperity, misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap, privation, tragedy, tribulation, trouble, vicissitude, woe; acid test, litmus test; challenge, complication, difficulty, grief, grievance, hardship, rigor; annoyance, discomfort, inconvenience, nuisance

Near Antonyms

full-blood, pureblood, purebred, thoroughbred

Rhymes with CROSS

boss, crosse, dross, floss, gloss, joss, loss, moss, sauce, stoss, toss

²cross

verb

Definition of CROSS

transitive verb

1

a : to lie or be situated across

b : intersect

2

: to make the sign of the cross upon or over

3

: to cancel by marking a cross on or drawing a line through : strike out <cross names off a list>

4

: to place or fold crosswise one over the other <cross the arms>

5

a (1) : to run counter to : oppose (2) : to deny the validity of : contradict

b : to confront in a troublesome manner : obstruct

c (1) : to spoil completely : disrupt —used with up <his failure to appear crossed up the whole program> (2) : to turn against : betray <crossed me up on the deal>

6

a : to extend across or over : traverse <a highway crossing the entire state>

b : reach, attain <only two crossed the finish line>

c : to go from one side of to the other <cross a street> <crosses racial barriers>

7

a : to draw a line across

b : to mark or figure with lines : streak

8

: to cause (an animal or plant) to interbreed with one of a different kind : hybridize

9

: to meet and pass on the way <our letters must have crossed each other>

10

: to occur to <it never crossed my mind>

11

: to carry or take across something <crossed the children at the intersection>

intransitive verb

1

a : to move, pass, or extend across something <crossed through France> <crossed over to the other side of the river>

b : to move or pass from one character, condition, or allegiance to another —used with over <crossing over to vote for another party's candidate> <a musician who has crossed over from country to pop>

2

: to lie or be athwart each other

3

: to meet in passing especially from opposite directions

4

: interbreed, hybridize

— cross·er noun

— cross paths

: to meet especially by chance <crossed paths with an old friend on a business trip>

— cross swords

: to engage in a dispute

Examples of CROSS

1. We crossed the state border hours ago.
2. The dog crossed the street.
3. The highway crosses the entire state.
4. He was the first runner to cross the finish line.
5. The train crosses through France.
6. Put a nail where the boards cross.
7. One line crossed the other.

First Known Use of CROSS

14th century

Related to CROSS

Synonyms

backstab, betray, double-cross, sell (out), two-time

Antonyms

stand by

Related Words

give away; inform (on), peach, rat (on), shop [British], snitch (on), split (on) [British], tell (on), turn in

Near Antonyms

defend, guard, protect, safeguard, save, shield

³cross

adjective

Definition of CROSS

1

a : lying across or athwart

b : moving across <cross traffic>

2

a : running counter : opposite

b : mutually opposed <cross purposes>

3

: involving mutual interchange : reciprocal

4

: marked by typically transitory bad temper

5

: extending over or treating several groups, conditions, or classes <a cross sample from 25 colleges>

6

: crossbred, hybrid

— cross·ly adverb

— cross·ness noun

Examples of CROSS

1. I didn't mean to make you cross.
2. I was cross with her for being so careless.

First Known Use of CROSS

14th century

Related to CROSS

Synonyms

cold-blooded (or coldblood), mixed, crossbred, hybrid, mongrel

Antonyms

blooded, full-blood, full-blooded, purebred, thoroughbred

Related Words

grade, half-bred; dihybrid, trihybrid; crossed, hybridized, interbred, outcrossed

Near Antonyms

pedigreed (or pedigree); inbred, linebred, straightbred

⁴cross

preposition

Definition of CROSS

: across

First Known Use of CROSS

1551

⁵cross

adverb

Definition of CROSS

: not parallel : crisscross, crosswise

First Known Use of CROSS

1577

Cross

biographical name \ˈkrȯs\

Definition of CROSS

Wilbur Lucius 1862–1948 Am. educ. & polit.

Cross

geographical name \ˈkrȯs\

Definition of CROSS

river 300 miles (483 kilometers) W Africa in W Cameroon & SE Nigeria flowing W & S into Gulf of Guinea

cross

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Several traditional types of crosses.—© Merriam-Webster Inc.

Principal symbol of Christianity, recalling the crucifixion of Jesus. There are four basic iconogaphic representations: the crux quadrata, or Greek cross, with four equal arms; the crux immissa, or Latin cross, with a base stem longer than the other arms; the crux commissa (St. Anthony's cross), resembling the Greek letter tau (T); and the crux decussataa (St. Andrew's cross), resembling the Roman numeral 10 (X). Tradition holds that the crux immissa was used for Christ's crucifixion. Coptic Christians used the ancient Egyptian ankh. Displaying the cross was not common before Constantine I abolished crucifixion in the 4th century. A crucifix shows Christ's figure on a cross and is typical of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Making the sign of the cross with the hand may be a profession of faith, prayer, dedication, or benediction.