cross
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cross (krôs, kräs)
noun
- an upright post with a bar across it near the top, to which the ancient Romans fastened convicted persons to die
- a representation or figure of a cross, used as a badge, decoration, etc.; also, such a badge, decoration, etc. the Distinguished Service Cross
- a monument in the form of a cross, or with a cross on it, marking a crossroad, boundary, grave, etc.
- a staff with a cross at the top, carried before an archbishop as a sign of his authority
- a representation of a cross, in any of various recognized forms, as a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus, hence of the Christian religion
- a crucifix
- the act of crossing, as from one side of a stage to the other
- the act of crossing oneself
- any trouble or affliction that one has to bear; also, anything that thwarts or frustrates
- any design, mark, or object made by two lines or surfaces that intersect one another
- such a mark () made as a signature, as by a person who cannot write
- a crossing, or mixing, of varieties or breeds; hybridization
- the result of such mixing; hybrid
- something that combines the qualities of two different things or types
- Slang a dishonest action, fixed contest or match, etc.
- Boxing a blow delivered over and across the opponent's lead
- Northern Cross
- Southern Cross
Etymology: < ME cros & crois; cros < OE cros & ON kross, both < OIr cros < L crux (gen. crucis), a cross < IE *kreuk-, extension of base *(s)ker-, to turn, bend > L curvus; ME crois < OFr < L crux
transitive verb
- to make the sign of the cross over or upon
- to place across or crosswise cross your fingers
- to lie or cut across; intersect where two streets cross one another
- to draw or put a line or lines across cross your t's
- to pass over; go from one side to the other of; go across to cross the ocean
- to carry or lead across
- to extend or reach across the bridge crosses a river
- to meet and pass (each other)
- to bring into contact, causing electrical interference the wires were crossed
- to go counter to; thwart; oppose
- to interbreed (animals or plants); breed (an individual of one type) with one of another; hybridize; cross-fertilize
intransitive verb
- to lie across; intersect
- to go or extend from one side to the other: often with over
- to pass each other while moving in opposite directions
- to interbreed; hybridize; cross-fertilize
adjective
- lying or passing across or through; transverse; crossing or crossed cross street, cross ventilation
- going counter; contrary; opposed at cross purposes
- irritated or irritable; ill-tempered
- involving reciprocal actions, etc.
- of mixed variety or breed; hybrid; crossbred
- Archaic causing harm; unfavorable
adverb
cross oneself
cross one's fingers
cross one's heart
cross someone's mind
cross someone's palm
cross someone's path
cross up
- to confuse or disorder
- to deceive, or double-cross
the Cross
- the cross on which Jesus was put to death
- the suffering and death or Atonement of Jesus
- Christianity or Christendom
- the constellation Crux
- the constellation Cygnus
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
cross
modif.
cross
n.
Religious symbol, especially of Christianity
crucifix, cruciform, rood, Greek cross, papal cross, Maltese cross, St. Andrew's cross, Celtic cross, Jerusalem cross, patriarchal cross, cross of Lorraine, Latin cross, Calvary cross, swastika. A tribulation
affliction, trial, misfortune; see affliction, difficulty 1, 2.A mixed offspring
hybrid, mongrel, crossbreed; see hybrid, mixture 1.
cross
v.
To pass over
traverse, go across, pass across, pass over, go over, pass, ford, cut across, overpass, span, crisscross, travel over. To lie across
intersect, lie athwart, rest across, extend across, bisect, converge, meet, join; see also divide 1.To mix breeds
mingle, interbreed, cross-pollinate, hybridize, cross-fertilize, crossbreed, intercross, blend; see also mix 1.
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Object
- border: Crossing the border into Malawi, we soon reach the shores of its huge lake.
Converse of object
- engrail: Upon the roof of the aisles is the engrailed cross of the founders, St. Clairs, once hereditary Grand Masters of Scotch Masonry.
Adjective modifier
- Celtic: The Red Dragon of Wales and the cloven Celtic cross of Cadw now fly from the Edwardian castles.
Modifies a noun
- border: They have taken the cross border trade by storm.
Noun used with modifier
- churchyard: You can also see the base of the old churchyard cross.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- over: What do you start from, above Twelve Mile Point, to cross over?
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Cite this page:
MLA Style
"cross." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/cross>
APA Style
cross. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/cross

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