Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

fiery cross

American  

noun

  1. a burning cross, the rallying symbol of ancient Scotland and later of the Highlanders in case of war; later adopted by other organizations, including the Ku Klux Klan.


fiery cross British  

noun

  1. a burning cross, used as a symbol by the Ku Klux Klan

  2. a wooden cross with ends charred or dipped in blood formerly used by Scottish Highlanders to summon the clans to battle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Police drone footage showed the cathedral’s roof as a fiery cross illuminating the night sky.

From Seattle Times Jul. 17, 2019

Dier, improbably, had another big chance a couple of moments later when Lingard thrashed another fiery cross into the danger area.

From The Guardian Jul. 14, 2018

It appeared as a fiery cross in the sky.

From Washington Times Aug. 29, 2015

Sir Ronald might have saved self & Cyprus both trouble and expense had he radioed for help as soon as the "fiery cross" blazed high, two nights before the riots.

From Time Magazine Archive

From far a voice shouts to my fate As shout the choiring Angels, when The fiery cross of suffering men Falls broken at the narrow gate!

From The Poets and Poetry of Cecil County, Maryland by Various

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training