Emily Dickinson Lexicon

across, adv. [Fr. encroix, in + cross.] (webplay: passing over at any angle, as a line passing across another).

1. Draping over; in suspension upon.
2. Communicating; transmitting a message; [word play on making the sign of the cross] possibly “a cross.”
3. From one side to the other; [NW says: “as a bridge is laid across a river”.]