[A phonetic reduction of CHRIST(S)-CROSS: but in some late senses used with unconsciousness of the origin, and treated merely as a reduplication of cross; cf. mish-mash, tip-top, zigzag, etc.]
1. = CHRIST-CROSS, in various senses, q.v.
2. [f. CRISS-CROSS v.] A transverse crossing.
1876. R. F. Burton, Gorilla L., I. 2. When the current, setting to the north-west, meets a strong sea-breeze from the west, there is a criss-cross, a tide-rip.
3. U.S. (See quot.)
1860. Bartlett, Dict. Amer., Criss-cross, a game played on slates by children at school; also called Fox and Geese.
Hence Criss-cross-row: see CHRIST-CROSS-ROW.
