† 1. Athwart, crosswise, transversely, so as to cross or intersect. Obs.
1598. Florio, Travérso, a crosse, a thwart, crosly, thwartly.
1614. T. Bedwell, Nat. Geom. Numbers, iv. 71. The base and height of the extremes crossely multiplied.
1774. Burke, Amer. Tax., Wks. II. 420. He put together a piece of joinery, so crossly indented and whimsically dovetailed.
† 2. In a way that crosses ordinary affinities. Obs.
1611. Beaum. & Fl., Philaster, II. iv. If he have any child, It shall be crossly match’d.
1660. trans. Amyraldus’ Treat. conc. Relig., II. iii. 184. Crossely coupling prosperity with Vice, and Misery with Virtue.
3. In a way that is cross, contrary or opposite; adversely, unfavorably.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., II. iv. 24. And crossely to thy good, all fortune goes.
1596. Drayton, Leg., ii. 407. Since with me it fell so crosly out.
1680. Tillotson, Serm., 94 (J.). To act as untowardly and as crossly to the reason of things as can be imagined.
1856. Miss Winkworth, Tauler’s Life & Serm., vi. 220. Whether things go smoothly or crossly with them.
4. Perversely, peevishly, ill-humoredly.
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Crossly, peevishly, untowardly.
1770–90. Dorothy Kilner, Jemima Placid, in Storehouse of Stories (1870), 254. Miss Sally … desired her to … make room for her, which Miss Nelly very crossly refused.
1852. G. P. R. James, Pequinillo, I. 59. ‘Don’t undress me,’ said Julian rather crossly.
