[across] adv [ME acros, fr. AF an crois, fr. an in (fr. L in) + crois cross, fr. L crux] (14c) 1: in a position reaching from one side to the other: crosswise
2: to or on the opposite side
3: so as to be understandable, acceptable, or successful "get an argument ~"
[2]across prep (1591) 1 a: from one side to the opposite side of: over, through "swam ~ the river" b: on the opposite side of "lives ~ the street from us"
2: so as to intersect or pass through at an angle "sawed ~ the grain of the wood"
3: so as to find or meet "came ~ your football in the hall closet"
4. a: throughout "obvious interest ~ the nation --Robert Goralski" b: so as to include or take into consideration all classes or categories "~ differences, they insist, there can be no rational dialogue --Huston Smith" [3]across adj (1646): being in a crossed position