from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cross \Cross\ (kr[o^]s; 115), n. [OE. crois, croys, cros; the
former fr. OF. crois, croiz, F. croix, fr. L. crux; the
second is perh. directly fr. Prov. cros, crotz. fr. the same
L. crux; cf. Icel. kross. Cf. {Crucial}, {Crusade}, {Cruise},
{Crux}.]
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1. A gibbet, consisting of two pieces of timber placed
transversely upon one another, in various forms, as a T,
or +, with the horizontal piece below the upper end of the
upright, or as an X. It was anciently used in the
execution of criminals.
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Nailed to the cross
By his own nation. --Milton.
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2. The sign or mark of the cross, made with the finger, or in
ink, etc., or actually represented in some material; the
symbol of Christ's death; the ensign and chosen symbol of
Christianity, of a Christian people, and of Christendom.
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The custom of making the sign of the cross with the
hand or finger, as a means of conferring blessing or
preserving from evil, is very old. --Schaff-Herzog
Encyc.
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Before the cross has waned the crescent's ray. --Sir
W. Scott.
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Tis where the cross is preached. --Cowper.
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3. Affiction regarded as a test of patience or virtue; trial;
disappointment; opposition; misfortune.
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Heaven prepares a good man with crosses. --B.
Jonson.
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4. A piece of money stamped with the figure of a cross, also,
that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped;
hence, money in general.
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I should bear no cross if I did bear you; for I
think you have no money in your purse. --Shak.
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5. An appendage or ornament or anything in the form of a
cross; a badge or ornamental device of the general shape
of a cross; hence, such an ornament, even when varying
considerably from that form; thus, the Cross of the
British Order of St. George and St. Michael consists of a
central medallion with seven arms radiating from it.
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6. (Arch.) A monument in the form of a cross, or surmounted
by a cross, set up in a public place; as, a market cross;
a boundary cross; Charing Cross in London.
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Dun-Edin's Cross, a pillared stone,
Rose on a turret octagon. --Sir W.
Scott.
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7. (Her.) A common heraldic bearing, of which there are many
varieties. See the Illustration, above.
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8. The crosslike mark or symbol used instead of a signature
by those unable to write.
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Five Kentish abbesses . . . .subscribed their names
and crosses. --Fuller.
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9. Church lands. [Ireland] [Obs.] --Sir J. Davies.
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10. A line drawn across or through another line.
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11. Hence: A mixing of breeds or stock, especially in cattle
breeding; or the product of such intermixture; a hybrid
of any kind.
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Toning down the ancient Viking into a sort of a
cross between Paul Jones and Jeremy Diddler. --Lord
Dufferin.
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12. (Surveying) An instrument for laying of offsets
perpendicular to the main course.
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13. (Mech.) A pipe-fitting with four branches the axes of
which usually form's right angle.
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{Cross and pile}, a game with money, at which it is put to
chance whether a coin shall fall with that side up which
bears the cross, or the other, which is called pile, or
reverse; the game called {heads or tails}.
{Cross bottony} or
{Cross botton['e]}. See under {Bottony}.
{Cross estoil['e]} (Her.). a cross, each of whose arms is
pointed like the ray of a star; that is, a star having
four long points only.
{Cross of Calvary}. See {Calvary}, 3.
{Southern cross}. (Astron.) See under {Southern}.
{To do a thing on the cross}, to act dishonestly; -- opposed
to acting on the square. [Slang]
{To take up the cross}, to bear troubles and afflictions with
patience from love to Christ.
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