crisscross

American  

[kris-kraws, -kros] / ˈkrɪsˌkrɔs, -ˌkrɒs /

verb (used with object)

1. to move back and forth over.

   students crisscrossing the field on their way to school.

2. to mark with crossing lines.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to proceed or pass back and forth; be arranged in a crisscross pattern.

   The streets in that part of town crisscross confusingly.

adjective

1. Also crisscrossed having many crossing lines, paths, etc.

noun

1. a crisscross mark, pattern, etc.

2. tick-tack-toe.

adverb

1. in a crisscross manner; crosswise.

2. awry; askew.

crisscross British  

/ ˈkrɪsˌkrɒs /

verb

1. to move or cause to move in a crosswise pattern

2. to mark with or consist of a pattern of crossing lines

---

adjective

1. (esp of a number of lines) crossing one another in different directions

noun

1. a pattern made of crossing lines

2. a US term for noughts and crosses

adverb

1. in a crosswise manner or pattern

Etymology

Origin of crisscross

First recorded in 1810–20; variant of christcross

Example Sentences

As we crisscrossed Europe again, the pace felt almost frenetic in comparison to those long, slow months in Belgrade.

From The Wall Street Journal

The streets were wide open, lined with telephone poles—their wires crisscrossing overhead—and narrow sidewalks sprouting fiddleneck weeds and yellow mustard.

From Literature

Stretching across the terrain for miles, the crisscrossing ridges hint that groundwater once flowed through this region of Mars later than scientists previously believed.

From Science Daily

Roger Paterson presented his footage to America in a traveling show that crisscrossed the nation and climaxed with the hyped Bigfoot sequence on screen.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dad folds his khaki-clad legs crisscross applesauce to sit next to him.

From Literature

Related Words

• cross
• interlaced
• intersecting
• interwoven
• woven