a staff surmounted by a cross carried in religious processions and on ceremonial occasions before an archbishop.
3something unavoidable that has to be endured:she’s just a cross we have to bear
4a cross-shaped decoration awarded for personal valour or indicating rank in some orders of knighthood:the Military Cross
5 (the Cross) the constellation Crux.Also called Southern Cross.
6an animal or plant resulting from cross-breeding; a hybrid:a Galloway and shorthorn cross
(a cross between) a mixture or compromise of two things:the system is a cross between a monorail and a conventional railway
7 Soccer a pass of the ball across the field towards the centre close to one’s opponents' goal:Beckham’s low cross was turned into the net by Cole
8 Boxing a blow given with a crosswise movement of the fist:a right cross
ზმნა
Universal
1go or extend across or to the other side of (an area, stretch of water, etc.):she has crossed the Atlantic twicetwo 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 stile
[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 to intersect or lie crosswise:cross the cables in opposing directionsMichele sat back and crossed her arms
(of a letter) be dispatched before receipt of another from the person being written to:our letters crossed
3draw a line or lines across; mark with a cross:voters should ask one question before they cross today’s ballot paper
British mark or annotate (a cheque), typically by drawing a pair of parallel lines across it, to indicate that it must be paid into a named bank account: (as adjective crossed)a crossed cheque
(cross someone/thing 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/through) delete an incorrect or inapplicable word or phrase by drawing a line through it:cross out any portions which do not apply
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:Beatie crossed herself quickly at the mention of the dead
5 Soccer pass (the ball) across the field towards the centre when attacking:he could not get to the line to cross the ball [no object]:Powell crossed from the left
6cause (an animal of one species, breed, or variety) to breed with one of another species, breed, or variety:many animals of the breed were crossed with the closely related Guernsey
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
as cross as two sticks
British very annoyed or irritated:she was as jumpy as a cat and as cross as two sticks
at cross purposes
misunderstanding or having different aims from one another:we had been talking at cross purposes
cross one's fingers
(or keep one's fingers crossed)
put one finger across another as a sign of hoping for good luck:we will be keeping our fingers crossed that a quick thaw is on its way
cross the floor
British join the opposing side in Parliament.
cross my heart (and hope to die)
used to emphasize the truthfulness and sincerity of what one is saying:I’m deadly serious—cross my heart and hope to die
cross one's legs
place one leg over the other while seated:I crossed my my legs and leaned back in my chair
cross one's mind
(of a thought) occur to one, especially transiently:it had not crossed Flora’s mind that they might need payment
cross someone's palm with silver
humorous pay someone for a favour or service, especially before having one’s fortune told:we strongly suspect her palm had been crossed with silver in return for her silence
cross someone's path
be met or encountered:she got to know people who wouldn’t ordinarily cross her paththeir paths crossed years later at Manchester University
cross swords
have an argument or dispute:the two leaders crossed swords
crossed line
a telephone connection that has been wrongly made with the result that another call or calls can be heard:the system will be totally secure from crossed lines and tapping
get one's wires (or lines) crossed
become wrongly connected by telephone.
have a misunderstanding:somewhere along the line someone had got their wires crossed, that much was clear
have a/one's cross to bear
have a difficult problem or responsibility one has to deal with:as a smoker, I can tell you it’s a horrible habit, but that’s my cross to bear
