recross

recross

The hiker recrosses the shallow river using the same stepping stones.

Definition
  1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):
    • To cross again: "recross" means to go across something (such as a river, street, or border) for a second time or after having already crossed it once.
Usage Examples

  • Transitive:

    • After reaching the other side, they decided to recross the river to retrieve their forgotten backpack. (They crossed the river again to go back.)
    • The hikers had to recross the mountain pass when the weather turned bad. (They went across the pass for a second time.)

  • Intransitive:

    • The bird flew over the fence, paused, and then recrossed to its original perch. (It crossed back without a direct object.)
    • We recrossed to the left bank of the stream to find a better path. (We moved across again to the other side.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to recross one's path": to encounter or intersect with something again after having moved away.

    • The detective knew the suspect would recross his path sooner or later. (The suspect would be encountered again.)

  • "to recross a threshold": to go back over a boundary or limit, often used metaphorically.

    • She was hesitant to recross the threshold of the abandoned house. (She hesitated to re-enter the house.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Recrossing (noun): the act of crossing again.

    • The recrossing of the bridge took longer than expected due to heavy traffic. (The act of crossing again.)

  • Recrossable (adj): capable of being crossed again.

    • The river is recrossable only at low tide. (It can be crossed again under certain conditions.)
Synonyms
  • Cross again: to traverse once more.
  • Go back across: to return over a boundary or obstacle.
Phrasal Verbs

  • Recross over: to cross back over something.

    • The soldiers recrossed over the border at dawn. (They went back across the border.)

  • Recross into: to cross again into a specific area.

    • They recrossed into enemy territory under cover of darkness. (They entered the territory again.)
Related Idioms
  • Recross the Rubicon: to reverse a decisive or irreversible step (rare, based on the historical "crossing the Rubicon").
    • By apologizing, he effectively recrossed the Rubicon of their argument. (He undid a decisive action.)