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Added 9 October 2026

cross

/kɹɒs/ noun

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In Latin: crux Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about cross at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A geometrical figure consisting of two straight lines or bars intersecting each other such that at least one of them is bisected by the other.
    Put a cross for a wrong answer and a tick for a right one.
  2. Any geometric figure having this or a similar shape, such as a cross of Lorraine or a Maltese cross.
  3. A wooden post with a perpendicular beam attached and used (especially in the Roman Empire) to execute criminals (by crucifixion).
    Criminals were commonly executed on a wooden cross.

adjective

  1. Transverse; lying across the main direction.
    At the end of each row were cross benches which linked the rows.
  2. Opposite, opposed to.
    His actions were perversely cross to his own happiness.
  3. Opposing, adverse; being contrary to what one would hope or wish for.

preposition

  1. The cross product of the previous vector and the following vector.
    The Lorentz force is q times v cross B.

verb

  1. To make or form a cross. To place across or athwart; to cause to intersect.
    She frowned and crossed her arms.
  2. To place across or athwart; to cause to intersect.
    She frowned and crossed her arms.
  3. To lay or draw something across, such as a line.
    to cross the letter t

Origin

From Middle English cross, cros, from Old English cros (“rood, cross”), from Old Norse kross, from Old Irish cros, from Latin crux (crucī). In this sense displaced native Middle English rode, from Old English rōd (“cross”); see English rood. Doublet of crouch (“cross”) and crux. Compare Welsh croes, Irish crois. The sense of "two intersecting lines drawn or cut on a surface; two lines intersecting at right angles" without regard to religious signification develops from the late 14th century.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: foilcrisscrossintersecttransversetransversalcrosswisemarkhybridizationthwartwisehybridisation

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