Pronunciation: [kɹəsˈɛksɐmˌiːn] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of "crossexamine" is often incorrectly written as "cross-examine". The reason is that the word is actually a compound word made up of "cross" and "examine". The IPA phonetic transcription of "crossexamine" is /krɒsɪɡzæmɪn/. The "ss" in the middle of the word is pronounced as a double "s" sound, and the "e" is not pronounced as a separate sound, but is rather a part of the "examine" portion of the word.
The term "crossexamine" is primarily used in the context of legal proceedings, specifically during the examination of a witness in court. It refers to the act of questioning a witness who has already been examined by the opposing party. Crossexamination is conducted by the opposing attorney or counsel, with the purpose of scrutinizing the witness's testimony, challenging their credibility, clarifying any ambiguities, highlighting inconsistencies, and revealing any potential biases or motives.
During crossexamination, the attorney aims to extract information that may be helpful to their case or refute the opposing party's argument. This is achieved by posing a series of pointed and often intense questions to the witness, with the intent of obtaining favorable answers or undermining the credibility of the witness. Crossexamining often involves strategies such as leading questions or posing hypothetical scenarios to test the witness's consistency and objectivity.
The essence of crossexamination lies in its adversarial nature, where opposing sides seek to uncover the truth and present their arguments effectively. It is essential for the interrogating attorney to adhere to the rules of evidence, refrain from badgering or harassing the witness, and maintain a professional demeanor throughout the process. Crossexamination plays a crucial role in legal proceedings as it allows each side to challenge and scrutinize the evidence presented, contributing to the search for truth and justice.
The word "crossexamine" is derived from the combination of two separate words: "cross" and "examine".
1. "Cross": This word comes from Old English "cros" meaning "cross, upright pole", which originated from the Old Irish "cross" and Latin "crux". The term evolved to refer to the Christian symbol of crucifixion, representing the act of Jesus being put to death on a cross. Over time, the word "cross" gained additional meanings, such as "intersecting lines", and in figurative sense, it came to signify "opposition", "contradiction", or "conflict".
2. "Examine": This term derives from the Latin word "examināre", meaning "to weigh accurately" or "to investigate". It comes from "examen", which was a word used to describe a balance scale or a pan used for weighing coins.
