Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

cross

1 verb
     
Related topics: Banking, Sport, Biology, Microbes, Genetics, Biochem
cross1 S2 W2
1

go from one side to another

[intransitive and transitive] to go or stretch from one side of something such as a road, river, room etc to the other
cross to
He crossed to the window.
cross (over) the road/street/river etc
It's easy to have an accident just crossing the road.
He was hit by a car when he tried to cross over the road near Euston station.
cross the Atlantic/the Channel etc
the first steamship to cross the Atlantic
An old bridge crosses the river.
cross over
She crossed over to sit beside Dot.
2

cross a line etc

[transitive] if you cross a line, track etc you go over and beyond it:
He raised his arms in triumph as he crossed the line for his 100-metres win.
3

two roads/lines etc

[intransitive and transitive] if two or more roads, lines, etc cross, or if one crosses another, they go across each other:
The by-pass crosses Wilton Lane shortly after a roundabout.
4

legs/arms/ankles

[transitive]HBH if you cross your legs, arms, or ankles, you put one on top of the other:
She was sitting on the floor with her legs crossed.
5

cross somebody's mind

[usually in negatives] if you say that an idea, thought etc never crossed your mind, you mean that you did not think of it [= occur to somebody]:
It didn't cross her mind that she might be doing something illegal.
the thought has (never) crossed my mind (=used to tell someone you have thought of the thing they are suggesting, or have never thought of it)
6

cross somebody's face

written if an expression crosses someone's face, it appears on their face:
A look of surprise crossed her face.
7

cross your fingers

used to say that you hope something will happen in the way you want:
She hung the washing out, then crossed her fingers for a dry day.
The exam's at two. Will you keep your fingers crossed for me?
8

breed of plant/animal

[transitive]HB to mix two or more different breeds of animal or plant to form a new breed [↪ crossbreed]:
a flower produced by crossing several different varieties
cross something with something
These cattle were crossed with a breed from the highlands.
9

somebody's paths cross

also cross paths if two people's paths cross, or if they cross paths, they meet, usually without expecting it:
If our paths crossed I usually ignored her.
We didn't cross paths again until 2001.
10

cross that bridge when you come to it

used to say that you will not think or worry about something until it actually happens
11

cross my heart (and hope to die)

spoken informal used to say that you promise that you will do something, or that what you are saying is true
12

make somebody angry

[transitive] to make someone angry by opposing their plans or orders:
He hated anyone who crossed him.
13

sport

[intransitive and transitive]DS to kick, throw, or hit the ball across the playing area in a sport such as football, hockey etc
14

cheque

[transitive] British EnglishBFB to draw two lines across a cheque to show that it must be paid into the bank account of the person whose name is on it
15

letters

[intransitive] if two letters about the same subject cross in the post, each was sent before the other was received
16

cross swords (with somebody)

to argue with someone:
I've crossed swords with him on a number of issues.
17

cross yourself

RRC to move your hand across your upper body in the shape of a cross as a sign of the Christian faith
18

cross somebody's palm with silver

especially British English to give money to someone when you want them to tell your fortune

➔ dot the i's and cross the t's

at dot2 (4)

; ➔ cross the Rubicon

at Rubicon

cross something ↔ off

phrasal verb
to draw a line through one or more things on a list because you have dealt with them or they are not needed any more:
Whenever I buy something, I cross it off the list.

cross something ↔ out

phrasal verb
to draw a line or lines through something you have written or drawn, usually because it is wrong:
I crossed out 'Miss' and wrote 'Ms'.

cross over

phrasal verb
1APAM if an entertainer crosses over from one area of entertainment to another, they become successful in the second one as well as the first ➔ crossover (2)
2MX British English old use to die
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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