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.

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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

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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

The tracks of animals that had hunted for food in the night crisscrossed their path, but the animals themselves were not to be seen.

From Literature

Toppled trees crisscrossed the earth like spilled toothpicks.

From Literature

But soon enough, a dozen or more hunting trails crisscross the main path, and it’s less clear where to go.

From Literature

She sat crisscross opposite Coal with the phone propped up on the coffee table, and, like Doc, did all the exercises with him.

From Literature

Experts have repeatedly called for infrastructure upgrades, especially in the greater Athens area, which is surrounded by mountains and crisscrossed by hundreds of waterways, most of them covered to accommodate rampant urbanisation in recent decades.

From Barron's

Related Words

• cross
• interlaced
• intersecting
• interwoven
• woven