Main Entry: ²cross

Function: verb

Date: 14th century

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