across

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   transversely

   the marble slabs were cut across

2. 2
   adv

   to the opposite side

   the football field was 300 feet across

3. 3
   prep

   To, toward, or from the far side of (something that lies between two points of interest).

   We rowed across the river.

4. 4
   prep

   On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).

   That store is across the street.

5. 5
   prep

   across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).

   And make sure you're parked across the mall in the outside lot. […] Last time I was there, I parked in a parking structure and paid an arm and a leg for it.

6. 6
   prep

   From one side to the other within (a space being traversed).

   The meteor streaked across the sky.

7. 7
   prep

   At or near the far end of (a space).

   "Mam's baking and Cathleen's asleep. I've got a pile of washing bubbling in the copper, so I'd best be off." With that she was across the room and out the door.

8. 8
   prep

   Spanning.

   This poetry speaks across the centuries.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Italic *en Old Latin en Latin in Old French en Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der.? Latin crux Old French crois Anglo-Norman an croizbor. Middle English acros English across From Middle English acros, from early Middle English a-croiz, a-creoyz, from Anglo-Norman an (“in, on”) + croiz (“in the form of a cross”). More at cross. By surface analysis, a- + cross.