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crisscross Definition

criss·cross (kriskrôs′)

noun

  1. a mark made of two crossed lines (), often used as a signature by people who cannot write their names
  2. a pattern made of crossed lines
  3. a being confused or at cross-purposes

Etymology: ME Christcros, Christ's cross, the cross at the head of an alphabet, for the symbol X (Gr χ), abbrev. of Christ (Christos)

adjective

marked with or moving in crossing lines

transitive verb

  1. to mark or cover with crossing lines
  2. to move to and fro across

intransitive verb

to move crosswise

adverb

  1. crosswise
  2. awry

crisscross Usage Examples

Object

  • globe: Europa's most striking aspect is a series of dark streaks crisscrossing the entire globe.
  • city: Outside this district, or any of the residential neighborhoods, walking the tunnels that crisscrossed the city the illusion broke down.
  • world: Since 2001 the plane has been to 49 destinations outside the US and has crisscrossed the world.
  • fiber: Particles are stopped by layers of crisscrossed cotton fibers and held in suspension by the oil.
  • sky: It was really nice and warm in the sunlight with a blue sky crisscrossed by contrails from the jets going to Manchester airport.

Subject

  • canal: Venice Known as the ' Queen of the Adriatic ' , Venice stands on 120 islands, crisscrossed by some 177 canals.
  • river: Rivers and Ditches The area is crisscrossed by rivers and ditches which are home to many waterside plants and animals.
  • highway: Getting There Sacramento Area is crisscrossed by numerous paved highways.

Modifies a noun

  • pattern: Score the flesh in a crisscross pattern ( forming cubes ).

Preposition: by

  • canal: Venice Known as the ' Queen of the Adriatic ' , Venice stands on 120 islands, crisscrossed by some 177 canals.
  • river: Rivers and Ditches The area is crisscrossed by rivers and ditches which are home to many waterside plants and animals.
  • highway: Getting There Sacramento Area is crisscrossed by numerous paved highways.

Browse dictionary entries near crisscross

  1. crispy
  2. Crispin
  3. crisper
  4. crispation
  5. crisp
  6. crisis
  7. Criseyde
  8. crippled
  9. cripple
  10. cripes
  1. crissum
  2. Cristóbal
  3. crista
  4. cristate
  5. crit
  6. criterion
  7. critic
  8. critical
  9. critical angle
  10. critical constants