cross (krôs, krŏs)
n.

1. 1. An upright post with a transverse piece near the top, on which condemned persons were executed in ancient times.
   2. often Cross The upright post with a transverse piece upon which Jesus was crucified.
   3. A crucifix.
   4. Any of various modifications of the cross design, such as a Latin cross or Maltese cross.
   5. 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.
   1. A plant or animal produced by crossbreeding; a hybrid.
   2. 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. 1. To delete or eliminate by or as if by drawing a line through: crossed tasks off her list as she did them.
   2. 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. 1. To move or extend from one side to another: crossed through Canada en route to Alaska.
   2. 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.

adv.
Crosswise.

prep.
Across.

phrasal verbs:

cross over

1. To change from one condition or loyalty to another.
2. Genetics. To exchange genetic material. Used of homologous chromosomes.

cross up

1. To ruin completely: Their lack of cooperation crossed up the whole project.

idioms:

cross (one's) mind

1. To come to know; realize: It crossed my mind that you might want to leave early.

cross (someone's) palm

1. To pay, tip, or bribe.

cross swords

1. To quarrel or fight.

[Middle English cros, from Old English, probably from Old Norse kross, from Old Irish cros, from Latin crux.]

crosser cross'er n.
crossly cross'ly adv.
crossness cross'ness n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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