▪ I. crosswise, adv.
(ˈkrɒswaɪz, ˈkrɔːs-)
[cross- + -wise.]
1. In the form of a cross; so as to intersect.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. ix. xxxi. (1495) 368 On holy Saterdaye newe fyre is fette..and thus [= incense] is putte therin crossewyse. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iii. (1586) 136 Cut the skinne crossewise. 1686 A. Horneck Crucif. Jesus x. 178 To put their hands crosswise. 1756 Nugent Gr. Tour II. 333 Four of these streets are built cross-wise. 1774 Johnson 23 Aug. in Boswell, A church built crosswise. 1839 J. Yeowell Anc. Brit. Ch. xii. (1847) 136 Four holes arranged crosswise. |
† b. on croys-wyse: by means of a cross, by crucifixion. Obs. nonce-use.
| 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xxii. 142 Þei..culled hym on croys-wyse at caluarye. |
† c. With one crossing another, alternately.
| 1586 W. Webbe Eng. Poetrie (Arb.) 58 Eche shal containe eyght syllables, and ryme crosse wyse, the first to the thyrd, and the second to the fourth, in this manner. |
2. Across, athwart, transversely.
| 1580 Hollyband Treas. French Tong, Croiser, to cutte ouerthwarte, or crossewise. 1648 Gage West. Ind. xi. (1655) 38 Great trees newly cut down..and placed crossewise in the way. 1696 Bp. Patrick Comm. Ex. xxviii. (1697) 555 Not cross-wise from shoulder to shoulder; but long-wise. 1881 Jowett Thucyd. I. 144 They cut timber..and built..a frame of logs placed cross-wise. |
3. fig. In a way opposed to the direct or right; perversely, wrongly.
| 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. ii. 272 He may seeke after pleasures crosse-wise, and turne cleane out of the way from reason and iudgement. |
▪ II. ˈcrosswise, a.
[f. the adv.]
Placed or running across; transverse.
| 1903 Westm. Gaz. 10 Sept. 4/2 Its crosswise pelerine. 1927 Observer 4 Dec. 16/4 The cross-wise streets..are growing more and more canyon-like. Ibid., The crosswise thrust of traffic at every block. |