Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CROSS, n. [craus; W. croes; Arm. croaz; G. kreuz; Sw. kors; Dan. kryds and kors; Russ. krest. Class Rd. But the English cross would seem to be from the L. crux, through the Fr. croix, crosier; It. croce; Sp. cruz; W. crôg, coinciding with the Ir. regh, riagh. Qu. the identity of these words. The Irish has cros, a cross; crosadh, crosaim, to cross, to hinder. If the last radical is g or c, this word belongs to the root of crook. Chaucer uses crouche for cross.]

1. A gibbet consisting of two pieces of timber placed across each other, either in form of a T or of an X. That on which our Savior suffered, is represented on coins and other monuments, to have been of the former kind. – Encyc.
2. The ensign of the Christian religion; and hence, figuratively, the religion itself.
3. A monument with a cross upon it to excite devotion, such as were anciently set in market places. – Johnson. Shak.
4. Any thing in the form of a cross or gibbet.
5. A line drawn through another. – Johnson.
6. Any thing that thwarts, obstructs, or perplexes; hinderance; vexation; misfortune; opposition; trial of patience. Heaven prepares good men with crosses. – B. Jonson.
7. Money or coin stamped with the figure of a cross. – Dryden.
8. The right side or face of a coin, stamped with a cross. – Encyc.
9. The mark of a cross, instead of a signature, on a deed, formerly impressed by those who could not write. Encyc.
10. Church lands in Ireland. – Davies.
11. In theology, the sufferings of Christ by crucifixion. That he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross. – Eph. ii.
12. The doctrine of Christ's sufferings and of the atonement, or of salvation by Christ. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness. – 1 Cor. i. Gal. v. To take up the cross, it to submit to troubles and afflictions from love to Christ.
13. In mining, two nicks cut in the surface of the earth, thus, +. Cross and pile, a play with money, at which it is put to chance whether a coin shall fall with that side up which bears the cross, or the other, which is called pile, or reverse.