Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Lying or extending across the length of something; in a transverse direction: Describes something oriented or positioned so it goes from one side to the other, often at an angle or perpendicular to the main length.
   • In the shape of a cross: Resembling the form of a cross, particularly a horizontal piece on a cross.

2. Adverb:

   • Transversely; across the length or width: In a direction that goes from side to side, not lengthwise.
   • Not in the intended or expected manner; awry: In a way that is contrary to what was planned or desired.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The carpenter made a crosswise cut on the board. (The cut was made across the width of the board.)
  • They built a crosswise street to connect the two main avenues. (The street runs across the direction of the main avenues.)

• Adverb:

  • Slice the carrots crosswise, not lengthwise. (Cut the carrots in a direction across their length.)
  • Our plans went crosswise when the main speaker canceled. (Our plans went wrong or awry.)

Advanced Usage

• "To lay something crosswise": To place something so it lies across something else.
  • Lay the two sticks crosswise to form an 'X'.
• "To think crosswise": To think in a contrary or unconventional manner (less common, figurative).
  • His crosswise thinking often led to innovative solutions.

Variants and Related Words

• Cross (adj, n, v): The base word, often referring to intersecting lines, an object shaped like a cross, or the act of going across.
• Crossways (adv): A variant adverb meaning transversely or across.
• Cross-sectional (adj): Relating to a cross-section or a view across something.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Transverse, diagonal, transversal, horizontal (in specific contexts).
• Adverb: Transversely, diagonally, athwart, across, awry, askew.

Antonyms

• Adjective & Adverb: Lengthwise, longitudinal, parallel.

Related Phrases

• Cut crosswise: To cut something across its grain or length.
  • For a different texture, cut the meat crosswise.
• Run crosswise to: To extend or be oriented in a direction that intersects another.
  • The new pipeline runs crosswise to the old one.

Adjective

1. in the shape of (a horizontal piece on) a cross
2. lying or extending across the length of a thing or in a cross direction
   • a crosswise street
   • the crosswise dimension

Adverb

1. transversely
   • the marble slabs were cut across
2. not in the intended manner
   • things are going crosswise