ˈ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: cross (III)
1. usually plural
a. : a purpose usually unintentionally or innocently contrary to another purpose of oneself or of someone else
the terrible cross-purposes at work in modern society — Nicolás Monjo
— often used with at
the two men were always working at cross-purposes
b. : a subject different from and often ludicrously mistaken for the intended subject — used with at
to talk at cross-purposes
2. plural but singular in construction : a game in which questions and answers are made so as to involve ludicrous combinations of ideas