/ krɒs; NAmE krɔːs/ noun , verb , adjective
■ noun
MARK ON PAPER
1.
[ C ] a mark or an object formed by two lines crossing each other (X or +); the mark (X) is often used on paper to show sth :
I've put a cross on the map to show where the hotel is.
Put a tick if the answer is correct and a cross if it's wrong.
Sign your name on the form where I've put a cross.
Those who could not write signed with a cross.
—see also noughts and crosses
—compare tick
FOR PUNISHMENT
2.
[ C ] a long vertical piece of wood with a shorter piece across it near the top. In the past people were hung on crosses and left to die as a punishment.
CHRISTIAN SYMBOL
3.
the Cross [ sing. ] the cross that Jesus Christ died on, used as a symbol of Christianity
4.
[ C ] an object, a design, a piece of jewellery, etc. in the shape of a cross, used as a symbol of Christianity :
She wore a small gold cross on a chain around her neck.
MEDAL
5.
(usually Cross ) [ C ] a small decoration in the shape of a cross that is given to sb as an honour for doing sth very brave
MIXTURE
6.
[ C , usually sing. ] cross (between A and B) a mixture of two different things, breeds of animal, etc. :
The play was a cross between a farce and a tragedy.
A mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey.
—see also hybrid
IN SPORT
7.
[ C ] ( in football ( soccer ) or hockey ) a kick or hit of the ball across the field rather than up or down it
—see also the Red Cross
•
IDIOMS
- have a (heavy) cross to bear
■ verb
GO / PUT ACROSS
1.
cross (over) (from ... ) (to / into ... ) | cross (over) (sth) to go across; to pass or stretch from one side to the other :
[ v ]
I waved and she crossed over (= crossed the road towards me) .
We crossed from Dover to Calais.
[ vn ]
to cross a / the road
to cross the sea / mountains
He crossed over the road and joined me.
to cross France by train
The bridge crosses the River Dee.
A look of annoyance crossed her face .
They crossed the finishing line together (= in a race) .
2.
[ v ] to pass across each other :
The roads cross just outside the town.
The straps cross over at the back and are tied at the waist.
Our letters must have crossed in the mail (= each was sent before the other was received) .
We seem to have a crossed line (= a telephone call that interrupts another call because of a wrong connection) .
3.
[ vn ] to put or place sth across or over sth else :
to cross your arms / legs (= place one arm or leg over the other)
She sat with her legs crossed.
a flag with a design of two crossed keys
OPPOSE
4.
[ vn ] to oppose sb or speak against them or their plans or wishes :
She's really nice until you cross her.
( literary )
He had been crossed in love (= the person he loved was not faithful to him) .
MIX ANIMALS / PLANTS
5.
[ vn ] cross A with B | cross A and B to make two different types of animal breed together; to mix two types of plant to form a new one :
A mule is the product of a horse crossed with a donkey.
( figurative )
He behaved like an army officer crossed with a professor.
IN SPORT
6.
[ v ] ( in football ( soccer ), etc. ) to kick or pass a ball sideways across the field
DRAW LINE
7.
[ vn ] to draw a line across sth :
to cross your t's (= the letters in writing)
( BrE )
to cross a cheque (= to draw two lines across it so that it can only be paid through a bank account)
MAKE CHRISTIAN SYMBOL
8.
[ vn ] cross yourself to make the sign of the cross (= the Christian symbol) on your chest
•
IDIOMS
- cross that bridge when you come to it
- cross your fingers
- cross my heart (and hope to die)
- cross your mind
- cross sb's palm with silver
- cross sb's path | people's paths cross
- cross swords (with sb)
—more at dot verb , wire noun
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- cross sb/sth off | cross sb/sth off sth
- cross sth out / through
- cross over (to / into sth)
■ adjective
( cross·er , cross·est ) cross (with sb) ( especially BrE ) annoyed or quite angry :
I was cross with him for being late.
Please don't get cross . Let me explain.
➡ note at angry
► cross·ly adverb :
'Well what did you expect?' she said crossly.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Old English (in the sense monument in the form of a cross ): from Old Norse kross , from Old Irish cros , from Latin crux .