arch. and dial. [f. prec. + ROW sb.]
1. The alphabet; so called from the figure of a cross prefixed to it in horn-books. Also CROSS-ROW, s.v. arch. or dial.
1563. Foxe, A. & M. (1583), 831. Of the same Warde he learned hys Christe-crosse-rowe.
1611. Cotgr., La croix de par Dieu, the Christs-crosse-row; or, the hornebooke wherein a child learnes it.
1631. Mabbe, Celestina, XVIII. 180. I sweare vnto thee, by the Chris-crosse Row, by the whole Alphabet.
1762. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, V. xlii. Four years in travelling from Christ-cross-row to Malachi [the O. Test. being the reading-book of the highest class].
1814. Wordsw., Excursion, VIII. 419. Infant-conning of the Christ-cross-row.
1863. Kingsley, Water-Bab., ii. Twelve or fourteen neat, rosy, chubby little children, learning their Chris-cross-row.
† 2. fig. The whole series, the catalogue. Obs.
1579. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (1884), 73. In the whole crissecrosse rowe ether of morall or intellectuall vertues.
a. 1652. Brome, New Acad., IV. ii. In your crisse-crosse-row of complement.
† b. The first elements or rudiments, the ‘A B C’ of any subject. Obs.
1684. Southerne, Disappointment, III. i. 31. God sa’ me! She is not come to the Criss-cross-row of her profession yet.
