[cross section] n (1835) 1 a: a cutting or piece of something cut off at right angles to an axis; also: a representation of such a cutting b: section 3b
2: a measure of the probability of an encounter between particles such as will result in a specified effect (as scattering or capture)
3: a composite representation typifying the constituents of a thing in their relations -- cross-section vt -- cross-sec.tion.al adj