crosse

American  

[kraws, kros] / krɔs, krɒs /

noun

1. a long-handled racket used in the game of lacrosse.

---

crosse British  

/ krɒs /

noun

1. a light staff with a triangular frame to which a network is attached, used in playing lacrosse

---

Etymology

Origin of crosse

1865–70; < French: literally, hooked stick, Old French croce < Germanic; see crutch, crook ¹

Explanation

A crosse is another word for a lacrosse stick, the long-handled racket used to play the team sport. In lacrosse, the goalie holds a special, extra large crosse. A crosse has a very long handle, with a triangular, netted head for catching the hard rubber lacrosse ball. Players use their crosses to carry and throw the ball to each other, ultimately trying to score points by aiming the ball into goals at either end of the field. The origin of the word crosse is the Old French croce, or "bishop's crook."

Example Sentences

Blond Ron Beagle, who offsets his clumsiness with the crosse by his ferocious shoulder blocks, rattled ribs all over the field.

From Time Magazine Archive

And where those lines do crosse, there is the common centre, from which you shall draw a perpendicular to one of the sides.

From The Path-Way to Knowledg Containing the First Principles of Geometrie by Record, Robert

Those mercyes which Thy Mary found, Or who Thy crosse confes't and crown'd; Hope tells my heart, the same loues be Still aliue, and still for me.

From The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw, Volume I (of 2) by Crashaw, Richard

Ile crosse it, though it blast me: stay illusion, If there be any good thing to be done, That may doe ease to thee, and grace to mee, Speake to mee.

From Dramatic Technique by Baker, George Pierce

We do well to hold in honor those who voyage alone through "crosse winds and feirce stormes into desperat and inevitable perill," in the power of a noble thought.

From Pilgrim Trails A Plymouth-to-Provincetown Sketchbook by Warner, Frances Lester