1. A road crossing another, or running across between two main roads; a by-road.
1719. T. Gardner (title), Pocket Guide to the English Traveller … of all the Principal Roads and Cross Roads in England and Wales.
1745. Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury, I. 14. The cross-roads are almost impassible.
1859. W. Collins, Q. of Hearts (1875), 4. One of the loneliest and wildest cross-roads in all South Wales.
2. The place where two roads cross each other; the place of intersection of two roads. Also called the cross roads, and dial. a four-cross-road.
(Formerly used as a burial-place for suicides.)
1812. Examiner, 22 Nov., 739/1. Verdict of the Jury—Felo de se.… the body was … buried in a cross-road, with the customary ceremonies.
a. 1845. Hood, Faithless Nelly Gray, xvii. And they buried Ben in four cross-roads With a stake in his inside!
1875. W. M‘Ilwraith, Guide to Wigtownshire, 27. Near the cross-roads are the remains of a cairn.
3. atrib. a. Passing or conveyed by cross-roads. b. Situated at the crossing of two roads.
1720. [see CROSS-POST] Cross-road Letters.
1725. Lond. Gaz., No. 6415/2. The Cross-Road Mail which … goes between Chester and Exeter.
1785. Gentl. Mag., Oct., 838/2. Comptroller of the bye and cross-road letter office.
1863. W. Phillips, Speeches, xix. 430. Every cross-road bar-room.
