cross sea

American  

noun

Oceanography, Nautical.

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

---

Etymology

Origin of cross sea

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cross sea

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

The violence and variableness of the wind soon raised a very rough and cross sea, which frequently broke over us, making every thing fly from side to side, and producing the greatest disorder.

From A Voyage Round the World, Volume I Including Travels in Africa, Asia, Australasia, America, etc., etc., from 1827 to 1832 by Holman, James

Heavier clouds came, and heavier squalls with rain; and a mean little cross sea began to make.

From The U-boat hunters by Connolly, James B. (James Brendan)

Driving in the dense and devious thoroughfares was like sailing on a cross sea outside a difficult headland.

From The Christian A Story by Caine, Hall, Sir

The plane taxied over a choppy cross sea toward the shadow of the island, while we squinted through the salt spray.

From The Image and the Likeness by Campbell, John Scott