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criss·cross

(krĭskrôs′, -krŏs′)

v. criss·crossed, criss·cross·ing, criss·cross·es

v.tr.

1. To mark with crossing lines.

2. To move back and forth through or over: crisscrossed the country on a speaking tour.

v.intr.

To move back and forth.

1. A mark or pattern made of crossing lines.

2. A state of being at conflicting or contrary purposes.

adj.

Crossing one another or marked by crossings.

adv.

In a manner or direction that crosses or is marked by crossings.

[Alteration of Middle English Cristcrosse, mark of a cross, short for Cristcross (me speed), may Christ's cross (give me success).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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