The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 368
Cross"cut` (-k?t`) , v. t. To cut across or through; to intersect.
Crosscut <Xpage=348>
Cross"cut` , n. 1. A short cut across; a path shorter than by the high road.
2. (Mining) A level driven across the course of a vein, or across the main workings, as from one gangway to another.
Crosscut saw . (a) A saw, the teeth of which are so set as to adapt it for sawing wood crosswise of the grain rather than lengthwise. (b) A saw managed by two men, one at each end, for cutting large logs crosswise.
Cross-days <Xpage=348>
Cross"-days` (-d?z`) , n. pl. (Eccl.) The three days preceding the Feast of the Ascension.
Crossette <Xpage=348>
Cros*sette" (kr?s-s?t`) , n. [F., dim. of crosse . See Crosier .] (Arch.) (a) A return in one of the corners of the architrave of a door or window; -- called also ancon , ear , elbow . (b) The shoulder of a joggled keystone.
Cross-examination <Xpage=348>
Cross"-ex*am`i*na"tion (kr?s"?gz-?m`?-n?"sh?n; 115) , n. (Low) The interrogating or questioning of a witness by the party against whom he has been called and examined. See Examination .
Cross-examine <Xpage=348>
Cross"-ex*am"ine (-?m"?n) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Cross-examined (-?nd) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Cross-examining .] (Low) To examine or question, as a witness who has been called and examined by the opposite party. "The opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses."
Kent.
Cross-examiner <Xpage=348>
Cross"-ex*am"in*er (-?r) , n. One who cross-examines or conducts a crosse-examination.
Cross-eye <Xpage=348>
Cross"-eye` (-?`) , n. See Strabismus .
Cross-eyed <Xpage=348>
Cross"-eyed` (-?d`) , a. Affected with strabismus; squint-eyed; squinting.
Crossfish <Xpage=348>
Cross"fish` (-f?sh`) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A starfish.
Crossflow <Xpage=348>
Cross"flow` (-fl?`) , v. i. To flow across, or in a contrary direction. "His crossflowing course."
Milton.
Cross-garnet <Xpage=348>
Cross"-gar`net (kr?s"g?r`n?t) , n. A hinge having one strap perpendicular and the other strap horizontal giving it the form of an Egyptian or T cross.
Crossgrained <Xpage=348>
Cross"grained (-gr?nd`) , a. 1. Having the grain or fibers run diagonally, or more or less transversely an irregularly, so as to interfere with splitting or planing.
If the stuff proves crossgrained , . . . then you must turn your stuff to plane it the contrary way. Moxon.
2. Perverse; untractable; contrary.
She was none of your crossgrained , termagant, scolding jades. Arbuthnot.
Crossnath <Xpage=348>
Cross"nath` (-h?ch`; 224) , v. t. To shade by means of crosshatching.
Crosshatching <Xpage=348>
Cross"hatch`ing , n. In drawing and line engraving, shading with lines that cross one another at an angle.
Crosshead <Xpage=348>
Cross"head` (-h?d) , n. (Mach.) A beam or bar across the head or end of a rod, etc., or a block attached to it and carrying a knuckle pin; as the solid crosspiece running between parallel slides, which receives motion from the piston of a steam engine and imparts it to the connecting rod, which is hinged to the crosshead.
Crossing <Xpage=348>
Cross"ing , n. [See Cross , v. t. ] 1. The act by which anything is crossed; as, the crossing of the ocean .
2. The act of making the sign of the cross.
Bp. Hall.
3. The act of interbreeding; a mixing of breeds.
4. Intersection, as of two paths or roads.
5. A place where anything (as a stream) is crossed; a paved walk across a street.
6. Contradiction; thwarting; obstruction.
I do not bear these crossings . Shak.
Crossjack <Xpage=348>
Cross"jack` (kr?s"j?k` ∨ kr?"j?k`) , n. (Naut.) The lowest square sail, or the lower yard of the mizzenmast.
CRosslegged <Xpage=348>
CRoss"legged` (-l?gd`) , a. Having the legs crossed.
Crosslet <Xpage=348>
Cross"let (-lEt) , n. [Dim. of cross .] 1. A small cross.
Spenser.
2. [Cf. OF. croisel crucible, and E . Cresset .] A crucible. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Crosslet <Xpage=348>
Cross"let , a. (Her.) Crossed again; -- said of a cross the arms of which are crossed. See Cross-crosslet .
Crossly <Xpage=348>
Cross"ly , adv. Athwart; adversely; unfortunately; peevishly; fretfully; with ill humor.
Crossness <Xpage=348>
Cross"ness , n. The quality or state of being cross; peevishness; fretfulness; ill humor.
Crossopterygian <Xpage=348>
Cros*sop`ter*yg"i*an (kr?s-s?p`t?r-?j?-a]/>n) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the Crossopterygii. -- n. One of the Crossopterygii.
Crossopterygii <Xpage=348>
Cros*sop`te*ryg"i*i (kr?s-s?p`t?-r?j?-?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/<?/<?/ tassels, a fringe + <?/<?/<?/<?/<?/, dim. of <?/<?/<?/<?/ wing, fin.] (Zo\'94l.) An order of ganoid fishes including among living species the bichir ( Polypterus ). See Brachioganoidei .
Crosspatch <Xpage=348>
Cross"patch` (-p?ch`; 224) , n. An ill-natured person. [Colloq.] " Crosspatch , draw the latch."
Mother Goose.
Cross-pawl <Xpage=348>
Cross"-pawl` (-p?l`) , n. (Shipbuilding) Same as Cross-spale .
Crosspiece <Xpage=348>
Cross"piece` (kr?s"p?s`; 115) , n. 1. A piece of any structure which is fitted or framed crosswise.
2. (Naut.) A bar or timber connecting two knightheads or two bitts.
Cross-purpose <Xpage=348>
Cross"-pur`pose (-p?r`p?s) , n. 1. A counter or opposing purpose; hence, that which is inconsistent or contradictory.
Shaftesbury.
2. pl. A conversational game, in which questions and answers are made so as to involve ludicrous combinations of ideas.
Pepys.
To be at cross-purposes , to misunderstand or to act counter to one another without intending it; -- said of persons.
Cross-question <Xpage=348>
Cross"-ques`tion (-kw?s`ch?n) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Cross-questioned (-ch?nd) , p. pr. & vb. n . Cross-questioning .] To cross-examine; to subject to close questioning.
Cross-reading <Xpage=348>
Cross"-read`ing (r?d`?ng) , n. The reading of the lines of a newspaper directly across the page, instead of down the columns, thus producing a ludicrous combination of ideas.
Crossroad <Xpage=348>
Cross"road` (-r?d`) , n. A road that crosses another; an obscure road intersecting or avoiding the main road.
Crossrow <Xpage=348>
Cross"row` (-r?`) , n. 1. The alphabet; -- called also Christcross-row .
And from the crossrow plucks the letter G. Shak.
2. A row that crosses others.
Crossruff <Xpage=348>
Cross"ruff` (-r?f`) , n. (Whist) The play in whist where partners trump each a different suit, and lead to each other for that purpose; -- called also seesaw .
Cross-spale -spl, Cross-spall <Xpage=348>
Cross"-spale` (-sp?l`) , Cross"-spall` (-sp?l`) , n. [See Spale & Spall .] (Shipbuilding) One of the temporary wooden braces, placed horizontally across a frame to hold it in position until the deck beams are in; a cross-pawl.
Cross-springer <Xpage=348>
Cross"-spring`er (-spr?ng`?r) , n. (Arch.) One of the ribs in a groined arch, springing from the corners in a diagonal direction. [See Illustr . of Groined vault .]
Cross-staff <Xpage=348>
Cross"-staff` (-st?f`) , n. 1. An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of celestial bodies.
2. A surveyor's instrument for measuring offsets.
Cross-stitch <Xpage=348>
Cross"-stitch` (-st?ch`; 224) , n. A form of stitch, where the stitches are diagonal and in pairs, the thread of one stitch crossing that of the other. "Tent and cross-stitch ." Sir W. Scott . -- Cross"-stitch` , v. t. & i.
Cross-stone <Xpage=348>
Cross"-stone` (-st?n`) , n. (Min.) See Harmotome , and Staurotide .
Cross-tail <Xpage=348>
Cross"-tail` (-t?l`) , n. (Steam Engine) A bar connecting the ends of the side rods or levers of a backaction or side-lever engine.
Cross-tie <Xpage=348>
Cross"-tie` (-t?`) , n. (Railroad) A sleeper supporting and connecting the rails, and holding them in place.
<page="349"> Page 349
Cross-tining <Xpage=349>
Cross"-tin`ing (kr?s"t?n`?ng) , n. (Agric.) A mode of harrowing crosswise, or transversely to the ridges.
Crabb.
Crosstrees <Xpage=349>
Cross"trees` (-tr?z`) , n. pl. (Naut.) Pieces of timber at a masthead, to which are attached the upper shrouds. At the head of lower masts in large vessels, they support a semicircular platform called the "top."
Cross-vaulting <Xpage=349>
Cross"-vault`ing (-v?lt`?ng) , n. (Arch.) Vaulting formed by the intersection of two or more simple vaults.
Crossway <Xpage=349>
Cross"way` (-w?`) , n. See Crossroad .
Cross-week <Xpage=349>
Cross"-week` (-w?k`) , n. Rogation week, when the cross was borne in processions.
Crosswise <Xpage=349>
Cross"wise` (-w?z`) , adv. In the form of a cross; across; transversely.
Longfellow.
Crosswort <Xpage=349>
Cross"wort` (-w?rt`) , n. (Bot.) A name given to several inconspicuous plants having leaves in whorls of four, as species of Crucianella , Valantia , etc.
Crotalaria <Xpage=349>
Crot`a*la"ri*a (kr?t`?-l?"r?-? ∨ kr?`t?-l?"r?-A) , n. [NL. See Crotalum .] (Bot.) A genus of leguminous plants; rattlebox.
&hand; Crotalaria juncea furnishes the fiber called sunn or Bombay hemp .
Crotaline <Xpage=349>
Crot"a*line (kr?t"?-l?n ∨ kr?`t?-) , a. [See Crotalus .] (Zo\'94l.) Resembling, or pertaining to, the Crotalidae , or Rattlesnake family.
Crotalo <Xpage=349>
Crot"a*lo (-l?) , n. A Turkish musical instrument.
Crotalum <Xpage=349>
Crot"a*lum (-l?m) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ rattle.] (Mus.) A kind of castanet used by the Corybantes.
Crotalus <Xpage=349>
Crot"a*lus (-l?s) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ rattle.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of poisonous serpents, including the rattlesnakes.
Crotaphite <Xpage=349>
Crot"a*phite (kr?t"?-f?t) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ the side of the forehead.] (Anat.) The temple or temporal fossa. Also used adjectively.
Crotaphitic <Xpage=349>
Crot`a*phit"ic (kr?t`?-f?t"?k) , n. (Anat.) Pertaining to the temple; temporal.
Crotch <Xpage=349>
Crotch (kr?ch; 224) , n. ; pl. Crotches (-<?/z) . [Cf. Crotchet , Crutch .] 1. The angle formed by the parting of two legs or branches; a fork; the point where a trunk divides; as, the crotch of a tree .
2. (Naut.) A stanchion or post of wood or iron, with two arms for supporting a boom, spare yards, etc.; -- called also crane and crutch .
Totten.
Crotched <Xpage=349>
Crotched (kr?cht) , a. 1. Having a crotch; forked.
2. Cross; peevish. [Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
Crotchet <Xpage=349>
Crotch"et (kr?ch"?t; 224) , n. [F. crochet , prop., a little hook, a dim. from the same source as croc hook. See Crook , and cf. Crochet , Crocket , Crosier .] 1. A forked support; a crotch.
The crotchets of their cot in columns rise. Dryden.
2. (Mus.) A time note, with a stem, having one fourth the value of a semibreve, one half that of a minim, and twice that of a quaver; a quarter note.
3. (Fort.) An indentation in the glacis of the covered way, at a point where a traverse is placed.
4. (Mil.) The arrangement of a body of troops, either forward or rearward, so as to form a line nearly perpendicular to the general line of battle.
5. (Print.) A bracket. See Bracket .
6. (Med.) An instrument of a hooked form, used in certain cases in the extraction of a fetus.
Dunglison.
7. A perverse fancy; a whim which takes possession of the mind; a conceit.
He ruined himself and all that trusted in him by crotchets that he could never explain to any rational man. De Quincey.
Crotchet <Xpage=349>
Crotch"et , v. i. To play music in measured time. [Obs.]
Donne.
Crotcheted <Xpage=349>
Crotch"et*ed , a. Marked or measured by crotchets; having musical notation.
Harmar (1587).
Crotchetiness <Xpage=349>
Crotch"et*i*ness (kr?ch"?t-?-n?s) , n. The state or character of being crotchety, or whimsical.
This belief in rightness is a kind of conscientiousness, and when it degenerates it becomes crotchetiness . J. Grote.
Crotchety <Xpage=349>
Crotch"et*y (kr?ch"?t-?) , a. Given to crotchets; subject to whims; as, a crotchety man .
Croton <Xpage=349>
Cro"ton (kr?"t?n) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/, prop., a tick, which the seed of the croton resembles.] (Bot.) A genus of euphorbiaceous plants belonging to tropical countries.
Croton oil (Med.) , a viscid, acrid, brownish yellow oil obtained from the seeds of Croton Tiglium , a small tree of the East Indies. It is a most powerful drastic cathartic, and is used externally as a pustulant.
Croton bug <Xpage=349>
Cro"ton bug` (b?g`) . [From the Croton water of New York.] (Zo\'94l.) A small, active, winged species of cockroach ( Ectobia Germanica ), the water bug. It is common aboard ships, and in houses in cities, esp. in those with hot-water pipes.
Crotonic <Xpage=349>
Cro*ton"ic (kr?-t?n"?k) , a. Of or pertaining to, or derived from, a plant of the genus Croton , or from croton oil.
Crotonic acid (Chem.) , a white crystalline organic acid, C3H5.CO2H , of the ethylene, or acrylic acid series. It was so named because formerly supposed to exist in croton oil. Also, any acid metameric with crotonic acid proper.
&hand; The acid characteristic of croton oil is tiglic or tiglinic acid , a derivative of crotonic acid .
Crotonine <Xpage=349>
Cro"ton*ine (kr?"t?n-?n) , n. (Chem.) A supposed alkaloid obtained from croton oil by boiling it with water and magnesia, since found to be merely a magnesia soap of the oil.
Watts.
Crotonylene <Xpage=349>
Cro*ton"y*lene (kr?-t?n"?-l?n) , n. [ Crotonic + acet- ylene .] (Chem.) A colorless, volatile, pungent liquid, C4H6 , produced artificially, and regarded as an unsaturated hydrocarbon of the acetylene series, and analogous to crotonic acid.
Crottles <Xpage=349>
Crot"tles (kr?t"t'lz) , n. pl. [Gael. crotal .] A name given to various lichens gathered for dyeing. [Scot.]
Crouch <Xpage=349>
Crouch (krouch; 129) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Crouched (kroucht) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Crouching .] [OE. cruchen , crouchen , crouken ; cf. E. creep , G. krauchen , kriechen , or E. crook to bend, also crouch to cross.] 1. To bend down; to stoop low; to lie close to the ground with the logs bent, as an animal when waiting for prey, or in fear.
Now crouch like a cur. Beau. & Fl.
2. To bend servilely; to stoop meanly; to fawn; to cringe. "A crouching purpose."
Wordsworth.
Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humor? Shak.
Crouch <Xpage=349>
Crouch , v. t. [OE. cruchen , crouchen , from cruche , crouche , cross. Cf. Crosier , Crook .] 1. To sign with the cross; to bless. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. To bend, or cause to bend, as in humility or fear.
She folded her arms across her chest, And crouched her head upon her breast. Colerige.
Crouched <Xpage=349>
Crouched (kroucht) , a. Marked with the sign of the cross. [Obs.]
Crouched friar . See Crutched friar , under Crutched .
Croud <Xpage=349>
Croud (kroud) , n. (Mus.) See Crowd , a violin.
Crouke <Xpage=349>
Crouke (krouk) , n. A crock; a jar. [Obs.]
Chauser.
Croup <Xpage=349>
Croup (kr??p) , n. [F. croupe hind quarters, croup, rump, of German or Icel. origin; cf. Icel. kryppa hump; akin to Icel. kroppr . Cf. Crop .] The hinder part or buttocks of certain quadrupeds, especially of a horse; hence, the place behind the saddle.
So light to the croup the fair lady he swung, So light to the saddle before her he sprung. Sir W. Scott.
Croup <Xpage=349>
Croup (kr??p) , n. [Scot. croup , cf. croup , crowp , to croak, to cry or speak with a hoarse voice; cf. also LG. kropp , G. kropf , the crop or craw of a bird, and tumor on the anterior part of the neck, a wen, etc. Cf. Crop .] (Med.) An inflammatory affection of the larynx or trachea, accompanied by a hoarse, ringing cough and stridulous, difficult breathing; esp., such an affection when associated with the development of a false membrane in the air passages (also called membranous croup ). See False croup , under False , and Diphtheria .
Croupade <Xpage=349>
Crou*pade" (kr??-p?d") , n. [F., fr. croupe hind quarters.] (Man.) A leap in which the horse pulls up his hind legs toward his belly.
Croupal <Xpage=349>
Croup"al (kr??p" a l) , a. Croupy.
Crouper <Xpage=349>
Croup"er (kr??p"?r) , n. See Crupper .
Croupier <Xpage=349>
Crou"pi*er (kr<?/<?/"p<?/-<?/r) , n. [F.; prop., one who sits on the croup, and hence, in the second place; an assistant. See 1st Croup .] 1. One who presides at a gaming table and collects the stakes.
2. One who, at a public dinner party, sits at the lower end of the table as assistant chairman.
Croupous <Xpage=349>
Croup"ous (kr??p"?s) , a. (Med.) Relating to or resembling croup; especially, attended with the formation of a deposit or membrance like that found in membranous croup; as, croupous laryngitis .
Croupous pneumonia , pneumonia attended with deposition of fibrinous matter in the air vesicles of the lungs; ordinary acute pneumonia.
Croupy <Xpage=349>
Croup"y (kr??p"?) , a. Of or pertaining to croup; resembling or indicating croup; as, a croupy cough .