cross sea

American  

noun

Oceanography, Nautical.

1. a sea with a choppy surface produced by the intersection of waves from different storms.

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Etymology

Origin of cross sea

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The day was foggy, and a heavy, cross sea and lumpy waves kept the men miserably wet.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

At sunrise the wind blew still harder, and the cross sea was terrific.

From The Northmen, Columbus and Cabot, 985-1503 by Olson, Julius E.

It was true; the wind had backed to the north-east, and there was an angry little cross sea beginning to run over the long ocean swell.

From Doctor Claudius, A True Story by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)

We have no longer a cross sea, and can show a little more sail to keep her from being pooped.

From In Freedom's Cause : a Story of Wallace and Bruce by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

The cross sea was increasing, and the bank to the northwest was larger and blacker, while the mare's tails and mackerel scales had given way to cirrus clouds that raced across the sky.

From The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility by Robertson, Morgan