ˈcross-country, a.
[cross- 10.]
a. Across the country transversely to the great highways; across the fields, etc., instead of following the roads.
| 1767 S. Paterson Another Traveller! I. 316 We had a cross-country road back to Alost. 1786 Cowper Gratitude 20 These carpets..Oh spare them, ye knights of the boot, Escaped from a cross country ride! 1885 H. O. Forbes Nat. Wandr. E. Archip. 191 The main cross-country road to Bencoolen. |
b. Applied to flying across the country. Also absol., a cross-country flight.
| 1909 Daily Chron. 9 Sept. 1/6 The first cross-country flight of note was made by M. Farman on October 30, 1908. 1948 ‘N. Shute’ No Highway xi. 287 He..had hit a hill, like any pupil on his first cross-country. |
______________________________
▸ Skiing. Designating or relating to a style of (long-distance) skiing over relatively flat terrain, as opposed to down mountain slopes. Cf. Nordic adj. 2.
| 1911 Chicago Daily Tribune 26 Mar. 1/2 The cross country ski events will begin in the city. 1938 Times 29 Nov. 39/4 For those who like cross-country skiing the Black Forest has a charm all its own. 1960 Ski-ing (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 24/2 The Nordic events include cross-country races and jumping competitions. 2004 P. J. Conradi Going Buddhist 29, I attempted cross-country skiing. |