The word "crossing" is spelled with two S's because it follows the rule of doubling the final consonant when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel. The IPA phonetic transcription for "crossing" is /ˈkrɒsɪŋ/. The first syllable, "cross," is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɒ/ as in "lot," and the second syllable, "-ing," is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɪ/ as in "bit" combined with the consonant sound /ŋ/ as in "sing." Together, they form the word "crossing" /ˈkrɒsɪŋ/ meaning the act of crossing something.
A crossing refers to the act or process of moving from one side or place to another, particularly by passing through or over a barrier, obstacle, or boundary. It implies traversing or intersecting a path that connects two distinct locations or areas. Crossings can occur in various contexts such as roads, rivers or other bodies of water, railway tracks, intersections, or even in abstract settings.
In transportation, a crossing typically pertains to a designated area where pedestrians, vehicles, or trains can safely navigate through an intersecting road, railway line, or waterway. These often involve specific traffic control measures such as traffic lights, stop signs, or bridge structures to ensure the orderly and secure movement of individuals or vehicles.
Moreover, crossings can also denote the process of breeding or combining different species, varieties, or traits to produce offspring with desired characteristics. This is commonly observed in genetics or agriculture where the crossing of plants, animals, or strains of microbes leads to the development of new hybrids or variations.
In a broader sense, crossing can connote the act of mixing, blending, or merging different elements, ideas, cultures, or disciplines. This may involve crossing boundaries or merging concepts to create something unique or innovative. It symbolizes the confluence of diverse elements, resulting in a new synergy or synthesis. Crossings often contribute to progress, expansion, learning, and advancement by encouraging the exchange and integration of ideas, perspectives, or influences from multiple sources.
A paved part for passing across a street.
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 "crossing" has its roots in the Middle English word "crosing" or "crising", which emerged around the 14th century. This Middle English term was derived from the Old English word "crosung" or "crysung", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*krusunga". This Proto-Germanic term combines the elements "*kruz" (meaning "cross") and "*-unga" (a suffix denoting "action" or "process"). This ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kreus", which also meant "cross". Thus, the etymology of "crossing" essentially refers to the process, action, or place of crossing.