cross English · revision 3252

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=963–84|origins=la crux}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /krɒs/, US /krɑːs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|cros]],^(AHD 2000)^(MWU 2024) [[inh|ang|cros]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) replacing earlier Old English rōd ([[rood]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) probably [[bor|non|kross]],^(AHD 2000)^(COED 2004)^(Etymonline) [[bor|sga|cros]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la|crux|t=stake, cross]] (genitive crucis), originally a tall round pole on which criminals were executed.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Barnhart relates crux to Sanskrit kruñcati “it curves” and Old English hrycg “back, ridge”, from [[ine-pro|*krouk-]].^(Barnhart 1988) It is a doublet of [[crux]].^(Barnhart 1988) Middle English also had crouche, from Medieval Latin, and crois, from Old French croiz, which were common in southern England but became obsolete after 1450.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The modern form is the one used in northern England.^(Etymonline) The adjective, from 1523, is partly from the noun and partly a shortening of [[across]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old English cros is recorded in 963–84,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) as the instrument of Christ's crucifixion and the symbol of Christianity,^(Etymonline) first used of a stone cross set up as a monument.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ By about 1200 a cross was any likeness of the cross or the sign of the cross made with the hand,^(Etymonline) and the verb meant “to make the sign of the cross over”, in the ''Ancrene Riwle''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) A crucifix is from the mid-14th century,^(Etymonline) and in the late 14th century a cross was any two lines drawn crossing each other.^(Etymonline) Figuratively, from the Latin, a cross is a trial or affliction.^(Etymonline) The verb meant “to crucify” from the mid-14th century, now obsolete,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “to go across” from about 1400,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and “to cancel by drawing lines across” from 1443.^(Barnhart 1988) “To thwart, oppose” is from the 1550s,^(Etymonline) and “to interbreed” from 1754.^(Etymonline) The adjective first meant “lying athwart”, 1520s;^(Etymonline) “adverse, contrary” from the 1560s (1565) led to “ill-tempered, peevish” in the 1630s (1639), probably from winds blowing against ships.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Cross my heart'' is from 1898^(Etymonline) or 1908,^(OED 1989) and ''to cross one's mind'' from 1768.^(Etymonline) The ''crossword puzzle'' is from 1914.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 963–84 – Old English cros.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1200 – verb, to make the sign of the cross.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-14th century – a crucifix; to crucify.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1400 – verb, to go across.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1443 – verb, to cancel with lines.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1523 – adjective, lying across.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1550s – to thwart.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1639 – ill-tempered.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1754 – to interbreed.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1914 – ''crossword puzzle''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An upright post with a crossbar, on which people were executed in ancient times, especially the one on which [[Jesus]] was [[crucify|alt=crucified]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The cross as the symbol of [[Christianity]]; a [[crucifix]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A mark made by two lines crossing, such as × or +.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A trial or burden: ''a cross to bear''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # An animal or plant produced by [[crossbreeding]]; a mixture of two things.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To go or extend across.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To intersect; to place crosswise: ''cross one's legs''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To draw a line through; to delete.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ # To oppose or [[thwart]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To [[crossbreed]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To make the sign of the cross over.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Annoyed; [[irritable]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ # Lying across; [[transverse]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[crosser]]

+ * [[crossly]]

+ * [[crossness]]

+ * [[crossable]]

+ * [[crossability]]

+ * [[crossbeam]]

+ * [[crosscheck]]

+ * [[cross-examine]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[across]]

+ * [[crozier]]

+ * [[crucial]]

+ * [[crucifix]]

+ * [[crucify]]

+ * [[crusade]]

+ * [[crux]]

+ * [[excruciating]]

+ * [[cruise]]

+ * [[rood]]

+ * [[ridge]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}