ACROSS


Meaning of ACROSS in English

/ əˈkrɒs; NAmE əˈkrɔːs/ adverb , preposition

■ adverb

HELP NOTE : For the special uses of across in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example come across is in the phrasal verb section at come .

1.

from one side to the other side :

It's too wide. We can't swim across.

The yard measures about 50 feet across.

2.

in a particular direction towards or at sb/sth :

When my name was called, he looked across at me.

3.

across from opposite :

There's a school just across from our house.

4.

( of an answer in a crossword ) written from side to side :

I can't do 3 across.

■ preposition

1.

from one side to the other side of sth :

He walked across the field.

I drew a line across the page.

A grin spread across her face.

Where's the nearest bridge across the river?

2.

on the other side of sth :

There's a bank right across the street.

3.

on or over a part of the body :

He hit him across the face.

It's too tight across the back.

4.

in every part of a place, group of people, etc.

SYN throughout :

Her family is scattered across the country.

This view is common across all sections of the community.

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WORD ORIGIN

Middle English (as an adverb meaning in the form of a cross ): from Old French a croix , en croix in or on a cross, later regarded as being from a- to, towards + cross .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.