criss-cross

The child ties the criss-cross laces on their sneaker.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A pattern of crossing lines: "criss-cross" refers to a design or arrangement consisting of intersecting lines, often forming a grid or network.
   • A mark shaped like an X: It can also mean a single mark or symbol made by two lines crossing each other.

2. Verb:

   • To move back and forth in a crossing pattern: The most common meaning — to travel or go from one side to another repeatedly, creating intersecting paths.
   • To mark with crossing lines: To draw or write lines that intersect each other.

3. Adjective:

   • Arranged in a crossing pattern: Describes something that has lines or elements crossing each other, like a lattice or grid.

4. Adverb:

   • In a crossing or zigzag manner: Used to describe movement or arrangement that goes from side to side or crosses repeatedly.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The fabric had a criss-cross of blue and white threads. (A pattern of crossing lines in the material.)
  • She drew a criss-cross on the paper to mark the spot. (A mark shaped like an X.)

• Verb:

  • The hikers criss-crossed the valley all afternoon. (They moved back and forth across the area, creating intersecting paths.)
  • He criss-crossed the page with lines to create a sketch. (He marked the page with crossing lines.)

• Adjective:

  • The criss-cross pattern on the fence made it look decorative. (The fence had an arrangement of crossing lines.)
  • She wore a criss-cross sandal that wrapped around her ankle. (The sandal had straps arranged in a crossing design.)

• Adverb:

  • The path ran criss-cross through the forest. (The path went in a crossing or zigzag manner.)
  • They scattered criss-cross across the field. (They moved in a way that crossed paths repeatedly.)

Advanced Usage

• "to go criss-cross": to become confused or disordered.

  • Everything went criss-cross after the power outage. (Everything became chaotic or mixed up.)

• "criss-cross pattern": a common term in design, textiles, and geometry for a grid-like arrangement.

  • The quilt had a beautiful criss-cross pattern of red and gold. (A design with intersecting lines.)

Variants and Related Words

• Crisscrossed (adj): marked with crossing lines or paths.

  • The crisscrossed roads made navigation difficult. (The roads intersected each other frequently.)

• Crisscrossing (v, present participle): the action of moving or marking in a crossing pattern.

  • The birds were crisscrossing the sky at sunset. (The birds flew back and forth, creating intersecting flight paths.)

Synonyms

• Intersect: to cross each other at a point.
• Weave: to move from side to side in a winding or crossing manner.
• Crosshatch: a pattern of crossing lines, especially in drawing or shading.

Phrasal Verbs

• (No common phrasal verbs specific to "criss-cross" exist; the word itself functions as a verb and noun without phrasal extensions.)

Related Idioms

• Criss-cross one's path: to meet or cross someone’s route repeatedly.

  • Their lives criss-crossed many times over the years. (They encountered each other frequently in different situations.)

• Criss-cross the world: to travel extensively in many directions.

  • She criss-crossed the world as a journalist. (She traveled to many places, often returning to previous locations.)