Greek cross

American  

noun

1. a cross consisting of an upright crossed in the middle by a horizontal piece of the same length.

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Greek cross British  

noun

1. a cross with each of the four arms of the same length

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Etymology

Origin of Greek cross

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

A. reynoldsi also has a distinct stomach that is shaped like a Greek cross, whereas most other crown jellies have a clover-shaped gut.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2022

Its shape — a Greek cross that is symmetrical on all four sides — lends itself to a non-hierarchical exhibition space essential to the philosophy behind “Futures.”

From Washington Post • Nov. 17, 2021

Their own Crystal Palace was shaped like a Greek cross and topped by an enormous 123-foot high dome, the tallest in America. 

From Scientific American • Feb. 21, 2014

He used an equilateral Greek cross as a ground plan, with three arms containing seats and the fourth the altar.

From Time Magazine Archive

The form was thus that of a Greek cross; each angle of the building was to be surmounted by a tower, and the crois�e by an immense cupola or dome.

From The Cathedrals of Northern Spain by Rudy, Charles