The word "cross" is a common term used to describe the shape formed by intersecting lines. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word "cross" is represented as /krɒs/. The opening sound is a 'k' followed by an 'r' sound, producing the 'kr' sound. The 'o' is pronounced as a short vowel sound, and the 's' produces a hissing sound. The word is also spelled with a double 's' in some variations, as in "crossed," to indicate the past tense. Overall, the spelling of the word "cross" reflects its pronunciation accurately in English.
Cross (noun):
1. A geometric figure formed by two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other and dividing a space into four equal parts.
2. A symbol combining a vertical and a horizontal line, commonly used to represent Christianity or the Christian faith.
3. A hybrid resulting from the breeding of two different individuals or species with different characteristics, usually referring to plants or animals.
4. A difficult or crucial point or situation involving opposing forces, opinions, or interests.
5. An act or instance of moving or passing from one side to another, often implying intersecting or obstructing elements.
6. A structure or monument marking the place of intersection or passing of two roads, often in the shape of a cross.
7. A wooden structure, often with a perpendicular bar at the top, on which Jesus Christ was crucified, symbolizing his death and sacrifice.
8. A method or act of crossing a body of water, such as a river, by bridging, ferrying, or swimming.
9. A stroke or shot in sports, especially in golf or cricket, where the player's body and the club or bat move horizontally across the target line.
10. Any of various instruments, objects, or patterns characterized by a cross shape, such as the sign of addition (+), the letter X, or the crosshairs in shooting.
Verb:
1. To move or go across from one side to another, often intersecting a particular path or area.
2. To interbreed or crossbreed, as in plants or animals, typically to create hybrid offspring.
3. To mark or sign with a cross, usually indicating that something is incorrect or needs to be removed.
4. To cancel, negate, or counteract, often by opposing or conflicting actions
Any figure in the shape of a cross, + or X.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• Two lengths of any body placed across each other-thus (+), (X), or (+); a line drawn through another; the ensign of the Christian religion; the instrument on which the Saviour died; any misfortune; a hindrance.
• To draw a line, or place a body, across another; to pass or move over; to pass from side to side; to cancel; to erase; to obstruct or hinder.
• Oblique; transverse; obstructing; adverse; peevish or ill-humoured.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cross" originated from the Old English word "cros" or "cruc", which were derived from the Latin word "crux". In turn, the Latin word "crux" had Indo-European roots and is related to other words in various European languages, like the Old Irish word "cros", the Old Church Slavonic word "krǔcě", and the Old Norse word "kross". The Proto-Indo-European root of these words is believed to be "*kreus", meaning "to weave" or "to bind". Over time, this word evolved into "cross" and came to be associated specifically with the symbol of the Christian cross.