| at cross purposes |
so as to misunderstand or act in a way that frustrates each other's purposes. |
| cross hairs |
the two fine hairs, wires, or the like, one vertical and the other horizontal, that cross at right angles in an optical instrument such as a gunsight and that aid the viewer in aiming or focusing accurately. |
| cross off |
to remove (a name or other item) from a list. |
| cross out |
to remove (something) by drawing a line through it. |
| cross reference |
a reference from one part of a book, index, or file to another part containing additional or related information. |
| cross section |
a planar view exposed by cutting through an object, usu. at right angles to its longitudinal axis. [3 definitions] |
| cross swords |
to meet in physical combat; fight. [2 definitions] |
| cross talk |
interference, as on a telephone, radio, or other electronic receiver, by other sound or radio signals from another channel. [2 definitions] |
| cross-country |
directed or moving over rough ground rather than on a smooth path, track, or road. [4 definitions] |
| cross-country skiing |
the sport of skiing over fields or through woods where the terrain is relatively flat and using somewhat narrow skis that are not attached to the back of the ski boot, making it possible for skiers to lift their heels as they stride forward. |
| cross-cultural |
relating to or comparing two or more cultures. [2 definitions] |
| cross-examine |
to question thoroughly and insistently, often for the purpose of comparing responses with those of earlier questioning. [2 definitions] |
| cross-eye |
a condition in which one or both eyes turn toward each other. (See strabismus.) |
| cross-fertilize |
to fertilize by pollen, sperm, or another male gamete from a different individual, or with different genes or from a different species. |
| cross-grained |
of lumber, having a grain that runs across or diagonally to the length. [2 definitions] |
| cross-legged |
with the ankles close to the body and crossed, and the knees wide apart. [2 definitions] |
| cross-pollinate |
to pollinate by placing pollen from one plant on the pistil of another of a different type. |
| cross-pollination |
the transfer of pollen, as by bees, from one flower to another of different genetic composition, resulting in the production of a hybrid; cross-fertilization. |
| cross-purpose |
a purpose that opposes or conflicts with another. |
| cross-question |
to cross-examine. [2 definitions] |