crosse

American  

[kraws, kros] / krɔs, krɒs /

noun

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

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crosse British  

/ krɒs /

noun

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

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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

Draw .ij. diameters in the circle, so that they runne a crosse, and that they make .iiij. right angles.

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

Therfore do I draw ij. lines crosse the square quadrate from angle to angle, as you se A.C.

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

First therfore I draw a corde crosse the circle, that is A.C.

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