cross section

cross section

noun

Definition of CROSS SECTION

1

a : a cutting or piece of something cut off at right angles to an axis; also : a representation of such a cutting b : section 3b

2

: a measure of the probability of an encounter between particles such as will result in a specified effect (as scattering or capture)

3

: a composite representation typifying the constituents of a thing in their relations

— cross–section transitive verb

— cross–sec·tion·al \ˈkrȯs-ˈsek-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

Examples of CROSS SECTION

1. a detailed cross section of the human brain
2. The drawing showed the human brain in cross section.
3. The class surveyed a cross section of the student body.
4. The people in our neighborhood are a representative cross section of American society.

First Known Use of CROSS SECTION

1835

Related to CROSS SECTION

Synonyms: sample, sampler, sampling, selection, slice

Related Words: case, example, exemplar, exemplification, illustration, instance, representative, specimen; archetype, classic, locus classicus, paradigm, prototype; microcosm

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Rhymes with CROSS SECTION

abjection, advection, affection, bisection, collection, complexion, confection, connection, convection, correction, C-section, defection, deflection, dejection, detection, direction, ejection, election, erection, infection, inflection, injection, inspection, midsection, objection, perfection, prelection, projection, protection, refection, reflection, rejection, resection, selection, subjection, subsection, trajection, transection, trisection