cross (krôs, kr s)n.1. a. An upright post with a transverse piece near the top, on which condemned persons were executed in ancient times. b. often Cross The upright post with a transverse piece upon which Jesus was crucified. c. A crucifix. d. Any of various modifications of the cross design, such as a Latin cross or Maltese cross. e. A medal, emblem, or insignia in the form of a cross. 2. The Christian religion; Christianity. 3. In Christianity, a sign made by tracing the outline of a cross with the right hand upon the forehead and chest as a devotional act. 4. A trial, affliction, or frustration. See Synonyms at burden1. 5. A mark or pattern formed by the intersection of two lines, especially such a mark (X) used as a signature. 6. A movement from one place to another, as on a stage; a crossing. 7. A pipe fitting with four branches in upright and transverse form, used as a junction for intersecting pipes. 8. Biology a. A plant or animal produced by crossbreeding; a hybrid. b. The process of crossbreeding; hybridization. 9. One that combines the qualities of two other things: a novel that is a cross between romance and satire. 10. Sports A hook thrown over an opponent's punch in boxing. 11. Law An act or instance of cross-examining; a cross-examination. 12. The Southern Cross. 13. Slang A contest whose outcome has been dishonestly prearranged. v. crossed, cross·ing, cross·es v.tr.1. To go or extend across; pass from one side of to the other: crossed the room to greet us; a bridge that crosses the bay. 2. To carry or conduct across something: crossed the horses at the ford. 3. To extend or pass through or over; intersect: Elm Street crosses Oak Street. 4. a. To delete or eliminate by or as if by drawing a line through: crossed tasks off her list as she did them. b. To make or put a line across: Cross your t's. 5. To place crosswise one over the other: cross one's legs. 6. To make the sign of the cross upon or over as a sign of devotion. 7. To encounter in passing: His path crossed mine. 8. To combine the qualities of two things: a movie that crosses horror with humor. 9. Informal To interfere with; thwart or obstruct: Don't cross me. 10. To betray or deceive; double-cross. Often used with up. 11. Biology To crossbreed or cross-fertilize (plants or animals). v.intr.1. To lie or pass across each other; intersect. 2. a. To move or extend from one side to another: crossed through Canada en route to Alaska. b. To make a crossing: crossed into Germany from Switzerland. 3. To meet in passing; come into conjunction: Their paths crossed at the health club. 4. To move or be conveyed in opposite directions at the same time: Our letters must have crossed in the mail. 5. Biology To crossbreed or cross-fertilize. adj.1. Lying or passing crosswise; intersecting: a cross street. 2. Contrary or counter; opposing. 3. Showing ill humor; annoyed. 4. Involving interchange; reciprocal. 5. Crossbred; hybrid. Phrasal Verbs: cross over1. To change from one condition or loyalty to another. 2. Genetics To exchange genetic material. Used of homologous chromosomes. cross up To ruin completely: Their lack of cooperation crossed up the whole project. Idioms: cross (one's) mind To come to know; realize: It crossed my mind that you might want to leave early. cross (someone's) palm To pay, tip, or bribe. cross swords To quarrel or fight.
[Middle English cros, from Old English, probably from Old Norse kross, from Old Irish cros, from Latin crux.]
cross er n. cross ly adv. cross ness n. | cross top: Maltese and St. Andrew's center: patriarchal, Greek, and tau bottom: Latin, Calvary, and Celtic |