cross estoil['e]
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.A gibbet, consisting of two pieces of timber placed transversely upon one another, in various forms, as a T, or +, with the horizontal piece below the upper end of the upright, or as an X. It was anciently used in the execution of criminals. [1913 Webster]
Nailed to the cross By his own nation.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
2.The sign or mark of the cross, made with the finger, or in ink, etc., or actually represented in some material; the symbol of Christ's death; the ensign and chosen symbol of Christianity, of a Christian people, and of Christendom. [1913 Webster]
The custom of making the sign of the cross with the hand or finger, as a means of conferring blessing or preserving from evil, is very old.— Schaff-Herzog Encyc.[1913 Webster]
Before the cross has waned the crescent's ray.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]
Tis where the cross is preached.— Cowper.[1913 Webster]
3.Affiction regarded as a test of patience or virtue; trial; disappointment; opposition; misfortune. [1913 Webster]
Heaven prepares a good man with crosses.— B. Jonson.[1913 Webster]
4.A piece of money stamped with the figure of a cross, also, that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped; hence, money in general. [1913 Webster]
I should bear no cross if I did bear you; for I think you have no money in your purse.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
5.An appendage or ornament or anything in the form of a cross; a badge or ornamental device of the general shape of a cross; hence, such an ornament, even when varying considerably from that form; thus, the Cross of the British Order of St. George and St. Michael consists of a central medallion with seven arms radiating from it. [1913 Webster]
6.(Arch.) A monument in the form of a cross, or surmounted by a cross, set up in a public place; as, a market cross; a boundary cross; Charing Cross in London. [1913 Webster]
Dun-Edin's Cross, a pillared stone, Rose on a turret octagon.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]
7.(Her.) A common heraldic bearing, of which there are many varieties. See the Illustration, above. [1913 Webster]
8.The crosslike mark or symbol used instead of a signature by those unable to write. [1913 Webster]
Five Kentish abbesses . . . .subscribed their names and crosses.— Fuller.[1913 Webster]
9.Church lands. [Ireland] [Obs.] --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]
10.A line drawn across or through another line. [1913 Webster]
11.Hence: A mixing of breeds or stock, especially in cattle breeding; or the product of such intermixture; a hybrid of any kind. [1913 Webster]
Toning down the ancient Viking into a sort of a cross between Paul Jones and Jeremy Diddler.— Lord Dufferin.[1913 Webster]
12.(Surveying) An instrument for laying of offsets perpendicular to the main course. [1913 Webster]
13.(Mech.) A pipe-fitting with four branches the axes of which usually form's right angle. [1913 Webster]
Cross and pile, a game with money, at which it is put to chance whether a coin shall fall with that side up which bears the cross, or the other, which is called pile, or reverse; the game called heads or tails.
Cross botton['e]. See under Bottony.
Cross estoil['e] (Her.). a cross, each of whose arms is pointed like the ray of a star; that is, a star having four long points only.
Cross of Calvary. See Calvary, 3.
Southern cross. (Astron.) See under Southern.
To do a thing on the cross, to act dishonestly; -- opposed to acting on the square. [Slang]
To take up the cross, to bear troubles and afflictions with patience from love to Christ. [1913 Webster]