cross

noun

• 1a mark, object, or figure formed by two short intersecting lines or pieces (+ or ×):cut a cross in the bark with a sharp knife
• a cross (×) used to show that something is incorrect or unsatisfactory.

• 2an upright post with a transverse bar, as used in antiquity for crucifixion.
• (the Cross) the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
• this, or a representation of it, as an emblem of Christianity:she wore a cross around her neck
• a thing that is unavoidable and has to be endured:she’s just a cross we have to bear
• short for sign of the cross (see sign).
• a staff surmounted by a cross carried in religious processions.
• a cross-shaped decoration awarded for personal valor or indicating rank in some orders of knighthood:the Military Cross
• (the Cross) the constellation Southern Cross. Also called crux.

• 3an animal or plant resulting from crossbreeding; a hybrid:a Devon and Holstein cross
• (a cross between) a mixture or compromise of two things:the system is a cross between a monorail and a conventional railroad

• 4a sideways or transverse movement or pass, in particular.
• Soccer a pass of the ball across the field toward the center close to one’s opponents' goal.
• Boxing a blow delivered across and over the opponent’s lead:a right cross

verb

• 1go or extend across or to the other side of (a path, road, stretch of water, or area):he has crossed the Atlantic twice two paths crossed the field figurativea shadow of apprehension crossed her face [no object]:we crossed over the bridge
• go across or climb over (an obstacle or boundary):he attempted to cross the border into Jordan [no object]:we crossed over a fence
• [no object] (cross over) (especially of an artist or an artistic style or work) begin to appeal to a different audience, especially a wider one:a talented animator who crossed over to live action

• 2 [no object] pass in an opposite or different direction; intersect:the two lines cross at 90°
• [with object] cause (two things) to intersect:cross the cables in opposing directions
• [with object] place (something) crosswise:Michele sat back and crossed her arms
• (of a letter) be sent before receipt of another from the person being written to:our letters crossed

• 3draw a line or lines across; mark with a cross:cross the t’s
• British mark or annotate (a check), typically by drawing a pair of parallel lines across it, to indicate that it must be paid into a named bank account.
• (cross someone/something off) delete a name or item on a list as being no longer required or involved:Liz crossed off the days on the calendar
• (cross something out) delete an incorrect or inapplicable word or phrase by drawing a line through it.

• 4 (cross oneself) (of a person) make the sign of the cross in front of one’s chest as a sign of Christian reverence or to invoke divine protection.

• 5 Soccer pass (the ball) across the field toward the center when attacking.

• 6cause (an animal of one species, breed, or variety) to interbreed with one of another species, breed, or variety:many animals of the breed were crossed with the closely related Guernsey figurativehe behaved like an old regular officer crossed with a mathematician
• cross-fertilize (a plant):a hybrid tea was crossed with a polyantha rose

• 7oppose or stand in the way of (someone):no one dared cross him

adjective

• annoyed:he seemed to be very cross about something