I. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
Etymology: cross (IV)
1. : extending or moving across a country
a cross-country railroad
a cross-country concert tour
2.
a. : proceeding over countryside (as across fields and through woods) and not by roads or paths
a cross-country race
b. : having to do with cross-country sports
a cross-country champion
II. noun
: cross-country sports
interest in cross-country is growing in eastern colleges
specifically : a cross-country event (as in skiing, horse racing, distance running) — compare langlauf
III. adverb
: across the countryside
a river meandering cross-country
: by a course going directly over the countryside
a group of tanks moving cross-country