cross

I UK [krɒs] / US [krɔs] verb
Word forms "cross":
present tense I/you/we/they cross he/she/it crosses present participle crossing past tense crossed past participle crossed
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1) [intransitive/transitive] to go from one side of something such as a road or river to the other

She wanted to be sure the children had crossed the road safely.

Wait until there is no traffic and it's safe to cross.

a) to go from one side of something such as a room or enclosed area to the other

A tall woman was crossing the office towards me.

cross to:

He crossed to the window and closed the curtains.

b) to go from one side of a border or line that separates places to the other

It was dark when we crossed the French border.

cross into:

Refugees had been crossing into Albania all day.

2)

a) [intransitive] if things such as roads or lines cross, they go across each other

Meet me at the point where the two paths cross.

b) [transitive] to go across something

An old Roman road crosses the modern street at right angles.

3) [transitive] biology to combine one breed of animal with another, or to mix one type of plant with another, in order to produce an animal or plant that is genetically different from both parents

cross something with something:

a domestic dog crossed with a wolf

4) [transitive] if an expression crosses someone's face or lips, it appears there for a short time

A little smile crossed her lips.

5) [transitive] in sports such as football, to kick or hit the ball from one side of the field to someone in the middle or on the other side

6) [transitive] to oppose someone, or to disagree with them

No one ever dared cross him.

•

cross a boundary/line — to go beyond accepted limits or standards of behaviour

There is a line between joking and being offensive, and this man crossed that line.

cross your heart (and hope to die) — spoken used as a way of making a promise, especially between children

"I won't tell – cross my heart!"

- cross your arms

- cross a cheque

- cross your fingers

- cross your legs

- cross someone's mind

- cross someone's palm with silver

- cross that bridge when you come to it

- cross yourself

- paths cross

Phrasal verbs:

- cross off

- cross out

- cross over

See:

dot II

II UK [krɒs] / US [krɔs] noun [countable]
Word forms "cross":
singular cross plural crosses
**

1) British the symbol X

a) used for showing your choice on a written list of choices

Put a cross next to the name of the person you are voting for.

b) used for showing that an answer is wrong

2) a shape with one long upright line and one shorter line across it, used as a symbol of Christianity

a) a model, structure, or piece of jewellery in the shape of a cross

b) the Cross the structure on which Jesus Christ died according to the Bible

a painting of Jesus on the Cross

••

See:

crucifixion

3) an animal that is a mixture of two different breeds

a) a plant that is the result of mixing two different types to produce a new genetic type

cross between:

The clementine is a cross between a tangerine and a Seville orange.

b) something that contains the qualities of two different groups or types

cross between:

Most of their music is a cross between jazz and rock.

4) in sports such as football, the action of kicking or hitting the ball from one side of the field to someone in the middle or on the other side

5) in boxing, a way of hitting your opponent from the side as they try to hit you

a right cross

•

a cross (someone has) to bear — something unpleasant that someone has to deal with, especially continuously for a long time

We all have our crosses to bear.

III UK [krɒs] / US [krɔs] adjective
Word forms "cross":
adjective cross comparative crosser superlative crossest

angry. This word is used mainly by children or when speaking to children

The neighbours got cross every time we put our music on.

cross with:

I'm cross with her for lying.