cro ss-pu rposes also cross purposes PHRASE If people are at cross-purposes , they do not understand each other because they are working towards or talking about different things without realizing it. □ [+ with ] The two friends find themselves at cross-purposes with the officials.
cro ss-que stion (cross-questions , cross-questioning , cross-questioned ) VERB If you cross-question someone, you ask them a lot of questions about something. □ [V n] The police came back and cross-questioned Des again.
cro ss-re ference (cross-references , cross-referencing , cross-referenced )
1 N‑COUNT A cross-reference is a note in a book which tells you that there is relevant or more detailed information in another part of the book.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something such as a book is cross-referenced , cross-references are put in it. □ [be V -ed] Nearly 2,300 plant lists have been checked and cross-referenced. □ [V -ed] …an index of products and services which is cross-referenced to the supplying companies.
cross|roads /krɒ sroʊdz, [AM ] krɔː s-/ (crossroads )
1 N‑COUNT A crossroads is a place where two roads meet and cross each other. □ Turn right at the first crossroads.
2 N‑SING [oft at a N ] If you say that something is at a crossroads , you mean that it has reached a very important stage in its development where it could go one way or another. □ The company was clearly at a crossroads.
cro ss-section (cross-sections ) also cross section
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to a cross-section of particular things or people, you mean a group of them that you think is typical or representative of all of them. □ [+ of ] I was surprised at the cross-section of people there. □ [+ of ] It is good that there is a wide cross-section of sport on television.
2 N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A cross-section of an object is what you would see if you could cut straight through the middle of it. □ [+ of ] …a cross-section of an airplane. □ The hall is square in cross-section.
cro ss-stitch also cross stitch N‑UNCOUNT Cross-stitch is a type of decorative sewing where one stitch crosses another.
cross|walk /krɒ swɔːk, [AM ] krɔː s-/ (crosswalks ) N‑COUNT A crosswalk is a place where pedestrians can cross a street and where drivers must stop to let them cross. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use pedestrian crossing
cross|wind /krɒ sw I nd, [AM ] krɔː s-/ (crosswinds ) also cross-wind N‑COUNT A crosswind is a strong wind that blows across the direction that vehicles, boats, or aircraft are travelling in, and that makes it difficult for them to keep moving steadily forward.
cross|wise /krɒ swa I z, [AM ] krɔː s-/ in AM, also use crossways ADV [ADV after v] Crosswise means diagonally across something. □ Rinse and slice the courgettes crosswise.
cross|word /krɒ swɜː r d, [AM ] krɔː s-/ (crosswords ) N‑COUNT A crossword or crossword puzzle is a word game in which you work out the answers and write them in the white squares of a pattern of small black and white squares.
crotch /krɒ tʃ/ (crotches )
1 N‑COUNT Your crotch is the part of your body between the tops of your legs. □ Glover kicked him hard in the crotch.
2 N‑COUNT The crotch of something such as a pair of trousers is the part that covers the area between the tops of your legs. □ They were too long in the crotch.
crotch|et /krɒ tʃ I t/ (crotchets ) N‑COUNT A crotchet is a musical note that has a time value equal to two quavers. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use quarter note
crotch|ety /krɒ tʃ I ti/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A crotchety person is bad-tempered and easily irritated. [INFORMAL ] □ …a crotchety old man.
crouch /kraʊ tʃ/ (crouches , crouching , crouched ) VERB If you are crouching , your legs are bent under you so that you are close to the ground and leaning forward slightly. □ [V prep/adv] We were crouching in the bushes. □ [V -ed] The man was crouched behind the Mercedes. ● N‑SING Crouch is also a noun. □ They walked in a crouch, each bent over close to the ground. ● PHRASAL VERB Crouch down means the same as crouch . □ [V P ] He crouched down and reached under the mattress. □ [V P prep/adv] He crouched down beside him.
croup /kruː p/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Croup is a disease which children sometimes suffer from that makes it difficult for them to breathe and causes them to cough a lot.
crou|pi|er /kruː pie I , [AM ] -iər/ (croupiers ) N‑COUNT A croupier is the person in charge of a gambling table in a casino, who collects the bets and pays money to the people who have won.
crou|ton /kruː tɒn/ (croutons ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Croutons are small pieces of toasted or fried bread that are added to soup just before you eat it.
crow /kroʊ / (crows , crowing , crowed )
1 N‑COUNT A crow is a large black bird which makes a loud, harsh noise.
2 VERB When a cock crows , it makes a loud sound, often early in the morning. □ [V ] The cock crows and the dawn chorus begins.
3 VERB If you say that someone is crowing about something they have achieved or are pleased about, you disapprove of them because they keep telling people proudly about it. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + about/over ] Edwards is already crowing about his assured victory. □ [V that] We've seen them all crowing that the movement is dead.