uncross

/'ʌn'krɔs/

Thân thiện

She uncrosses her legs and leans forward in her chair.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To move (a part of the body, especially the legs or arms) from a crossed position to an open or straight position.
   • To change from a state of being crossed to a state of not being crossed.

Usage

• The verb uncross is used to describe the action of straightening limbs or objects that were previously crossed. It is most commonly used with body parts like legs and arms.
• It is typically a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (e.g., ).
• It often implies a deliberate, physical movement to change one's posture.

Examples

• Verb:
  • She uncrossed her legs and stood up from the chair.
  • He uncrossed his arms, signaling he was becoming more receptive to the conversation.
  • Please uncross the wires before connecting them.

Advanced Usage

• "to uncross oneself": In some cultural or superstitious contexts, this can refer to reversing a gesture believed to bring bad luck, such as uncrossing one's fingers.
  • He quickly uncrossed his fingers after making the wish.

Variants and Related Words

• Uncrossed (adj): Not crossed; in a straight or open position.
  • She sat with her legs uncrossed.
• Cross (v): The antonym; to place or fold (things) across each other.
  • He crossed his legs.

Synonyms

• Straighten: To make or become straight.
• Unfold: To open or spread out from a folded position.
• Unknot: To undo a knot (similar in the sense of undoing an intertwined state).

Antonyms

• Cross: To place or go across.

Notes

• uncross is a specific action verb. It is not commonly used in figurative or abstract contexts. Its usage is almost entirely physical and literal.
• There are no common phrasal verbs or idioms directly formed with uncross.

Học thuật

Verb

1. change from a crossed to an uncrossed position
   • She uncrossed her legs