Obs. [CROSS- 3 a: from the figure of the cross (⧾) formerly prefixed to it.] The alphabet; = CHRIST-CROSS-ROW.
a. 1529. Skelton, Agst. Venomous Tongues. In your crosse rowe nor Christ crosse you spede, Your Pater Noster, your Ave, nor your Crede.
1531. Tindale, Exp. 1 John 2. A man can by no manes reade, excepte he be taught the letters of the crosserowe.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., I. i. 55. And from the Crosse-row pluckes the letter G.
1635. Swan, Spec. M., i. § 3 (1643), 23. By their naturall position in the alphabet or crosse-row.
1681. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen. (1693), 1085. The cross-row, alphabetum.
