cross meaning and definition

CROSS noun

Definition of cross (noun)

1. a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece
2. a marking that consists of lines that cross each other
   • synonyms: crisscross, mark
3. a representation of the structure on which Jesus was crucified; used as an emblem of Christianity or in heraldry
4. any affliction that causes great suffering
   • "that is his cross to bear"; "he bears his afflictions like a crown of thorns"
   • synonyms: crown of thorns
5. (genetics) an organism that is the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock; especially offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties or breeds or species
   • "a mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey"
   • synonyms: crossbreed, hybrid
6. (genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
   • synonyms: crossbreeding, crossing, hybridisation, hybridization, hybridizing, interbreeding

CROSS verb

Definition of cross (verb)

1. travel across or pass over
   • "The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day"
   • synonyms: cover, cut across, cut through, get across, get over, pass over, track, traverse
2. meet at a point
   • synonyms: intersect
3. hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
   • "What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge"; "foil your opponent"
   • synonyms: baffle, bilk, foil, frustrate, queer, scotch, spoil, thwart
4. fold so as to resemble a cross
   • "she crossed her legs"
   • antonym: uncross
5. to cover or extend over an area or time period
   • "Rivers traverse the valley floor", "The parking lot spans 3 acres"; "The novel spans three centuries"
   • synonyms: span, sweep, traverse
6. meet and pass
   • "the trains crossed"
7. trace a line through or across
   • "cross your `t'"
8. breed animals or plants using parents of different races and varieties
   • "cross a horse and a donkey"; "Mendel tried crossbreeding"; "these species do not interbreed"
   • synonyms: crossbreed, hybridise, hybridize, interbreed

CROSS adjective

Definition of cross (adjective)

1. extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis
   • "cross members should be all steel"; "from the transverse hall the stairway ascends gracefully"; "transversal vibrations"; "transverse colon"
   • synonyms: thwartwise, transversal, transverse
2. annoyed and irritable
   • synonyms: bad-tempered, crabbed, crabby, fussy, grouchy, grumpy, ill-tempered