cross
I
 /ˈkrɑːs/  noun  ,  pl   cross·es
  1 a [  count  ] : a long piece of wood with a shorter piece across it near the top that people were once fastened to and left to die on as a form of punishment
  1 b the Cross : the cross on which Jesus Christ died
  1 c [  count  ] : an object or image in the shape of a cross that is used as a symbol of Christianity
   a necklace with a gold cross
  — see also sign of the cross
  2 [  count  ] : a decoration in the shape of a cross that is given to someone as an honor especially for military courage
  3 [  count  ] : a mark formed by two lines that cross each other
   The teacher marked the absent students on her list with crosses.
   Those who could not write signed their names with a cross.
  4 [  count  ] : a mixture of two different things, types, or qualities
   Snowboarding is a cross between surfing and skiing.
   The play is a cross between comedy and romance.
   The dog is a cross of hunting dog and sheepdog.
  5 [  count  ] boxing : a punch that goes over an opponent's punch
   a right cross
  6 [  count  ] soccer : a kick or hit of the ball that goes across the field from one side to another or to the middle of the field
  cross to bear
   : a problem that causes trouble or worry for someone over a long period of time
    We all have our crosses to bear. [=we all have problems to deal with]
    The loss was a heavy cross to bear. [=the loss was hard to deal with]
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II
  verb  , crosses, crossed, cross·ing
  1 : to go from one side of (something) to the other : to go across (something)
   [  + obj  ] We crossed the state border hours ago.
    The dog crossed the street.
    The highway crosses the entire state.
    He was the first runner to cross the finish line.
   [  no obj  ] The train crosses through France.
  2 : to go or pass across each other
   [  no obj  ] the point at which two lines cross [=intersect]
    Put a nail where the boards cross.
   [  + obj  ] One line crossed the other.
  3 [  + obj  ] : to place one arm, leg, etc., over the other
   cross your arms/legs/fingers
  ◇ If you cross your fingers or keep your fingers crossed, you hope that you will be lucky and that something you want to happen will happen.
   I crossed my fingers and hoped that I would be chosen.
   Keep your fingers crossed. I just sent out my college applications.
  4 [  + obj  ] : to draw a line across (something)
   Remember to cross your t's. [=to put a line across the top of the letter “t” when you write it]
  — see also dot your i's and cross your t's at dot, 2
  5 [  no obj  ] : to pass in opposite directions
   Our letters crossed in the mail. [=my letter was going to you while your letter was coming to me]
  6 [  + obj  ] : to turn (your eyes) inward toward your nose
   He crossed his eyes.
  7 [  + obj  ] : to act against the wishes, plans, or orders of (someone)
   My boss is usually nice, but she has a terrible temper and you don't want to cross her.
  — see also double-cross, star-crossed
  8 [  + obj  ]
  8 a : to make two different kinds of animals breed together
   The breeders crossed [=crossbred, interbred] the bison with domestic cattle.
  — often used figuratively to describe someone or something that combines the qualities of two different people or things
   As our leader, she was like a drill sergeant crossed with a camp counselor.
  8 b : to mix two kinds of plants to form a new one
   The farmers crossed two different types of corn together.
  9 [  no obj  ] soccer : to kick or hit the ball sideways across the field
  — + to
   He crossed to his teammate.
  cross my heart
   ◇ The phrases cross my heart or cross my heart and hope to die are used in informal speech to stress that you are telling the truth and will do what you promise.
    I'll clean my room tomorrow–cross my heart. [=I promise that I'll clean my room tomorrow]
   
  cross off [  phrasal verb  ]
   cross (someone or something) off or cross off (someone or something) : to draw a line through (a name or item on a list)
    They crossed off the names of the people who had already been invited.
    We can cross her off our list of potential donors.
  cross out [  phrasal verb  ]
   cross (something) out or cross out (something) : to draw a line through (something) to show that it is wrong
    cross out a mistake
  cross over [  phrasal verb  ]
   cross over or cross over (something)
   1 : to move or go from one side of (something) to the other
    The deer crossed over to the other side of the river.
    The bridge crosses over the river.
   2 : to change from one type of character or condition to another
    People were crossing over to vote for the other party's candidate. [=people in one political party were voting for the other party's candidate]
    The singer crossed over from country to pop. [=the singer changed his style of music from country to pop]
    — see also crossover
  cross paths
   ◇ When people cross paths or when their paths cross, they meet each other at a time that was not planned or expected.
    After they left college, it was many years before they crossed paths again. = It was many years before their paths crossed again.
    I crossed paths with an old friend on a business trip.
   
  cross someone's face
   : to appear briefly on someone's face
    A smile crossed her face.
  cross someone's mind
   : to come into someone's mind : to be thought of by someone
    Losing never crossed her mind. [=she was sure that she would win]
    Did it ever cross your mind that I could be right?
  cross swords
   : to fight or argue
    — often + with
    I didn't want to cross swords with him about who was right.
   
  cross that bridge when you come to it — see bridge, 1
  cross the line
   : to go beyond what is proper or acceptable
    Her criticism crossed the line from helpful to just plain hurtful.
    The magazine crossed the line when they printed the nude photos.
  cross up [  phrasal verb  ]
     US  
   1 cross (someone) up or cross up (someone) : to make (someone) confused
    The team crossed up their opponent by throwing the ball instead of running it.
   2 cross (something) up or cross up (something) : to ruin (something) completely
    His failure to meet the deadline crossed up the deal.
  cross yourself
   : to make the sign of the cross on your head and chest
    I crossed myself as I entered the church.
  cross·er  noun  ,  pl   -ers [  count  ]
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III
  adj  , cross·er, -est
  : annoyed or angry
   I didn't mean to make you cross.
   I was cross with her for being so careless.
  cross·ly  adv  
   “Stop teasing your sister,” she said crossly.