† 1. From side to side, whether at right angles or obliquely; across, athwart, transversely. Obs.
[a. 1400–50. Alexander, 4872. And þai croke ouire crosse to cache þaim anothire.]
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., IV. (1586), 178 b. Cast bowes of Willowe crosse … That may preserve the fainting Bee, that in the flud doth fall.
1620–55. I. Jones, Stone-Heng, 71. The Picts Wall, extending crosse over our Island.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 126. The boards lyinge thus crosse, one chesse one way and another another.
1699. Bentley, Phal., § 2. 39. The Arundel Marble lies cross in our way.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. 127. I now resolv’d to travel quite cross to the Sea-Shore on that Side.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 53. Courses of timber alternately cross and cross.
† 2. In a contrary way, in opposition to. Obs.
1614. T. Adams, Devil’s Banquet, 217. Jesus Well: whose bottome … was in Heauen; whose mouth and spring downewards to the earth: crosse to all earthly fountaines.
1638. Chillingw., Relig. Prot., I. v. § 84. 288. To foist in two others, clean crosse to the Doctor’s purpose.
1718. Hickes & Nelson, J. Kettlewell, II. xlix. 153. Every Thing was carried cross to his Intentions.
a. 1732. T. Boston, Crook in Lot (1805), 33. The crook of the lot will … be found to lie cross to some wrong bias of the heart.
3. In an adverse or unfavorable way; contrary to one’s desire or liking; awry, amiss; = ACROSS adv. 4. Obs. or colloq.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 164. Things falling out crosse with the old Emperour.
1646. P. Bulkeley, Gospel Covt., III. (1651), 222. Though things go crosse against us.
1691. Norris, Pract. Disc., 248. There is yet another thing in relation to the Moral World, which lies very cross upon our Minds.
1703. Lond. Gaz., No. 3937/3. The Tide fell cross in the night.
1883. G. Lloyd, Ebb & Flow, II. 300. I wonder why things do go so cross in this world.
¶ See also CROSS- III.
