cross

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is also termed a saltire in heraldic terminology.

A Greek cross (all arms of equal length) above a saltire [X形十字; 圣安德鲁十字], a cross whose limbs are slanted:

Throughout centuries the cross in its various shapes and forms was a symbol of various beliefs. In pre-Christian times it was a pagan religious symbol throughout Europe and western Asia. In ancient times, the effigy of a man hanging on a cross was set up in the fields to protect the crops. The cross was even considered a male symbol of the phallic Tree of Life; thus it often appeared in conjunction with the female-genital circle or oval, to signify the sacred marriage, as in Egyptian amulet Nefer[1] with male cross and female orb, considered as an amulet of blessedness, a charm of sexual harmony.[2]

The word cross is recorded in 10th-century Old English as cros, exclusively for the instrument of Christ's crucifixion, replacing the native Old English word rood. The word's history is complicated; it appears to have entered English from Old Irish, possibly via Old Norse, ultimately from the Latin crux (or its accusative crucem and its genitive crucis), "stake, cross".

The English verb to cross arises from the noun c. 1200, first in the sense "to make the sign of the cross"; the generic meaning "to intersect" develops in the 15th century.

Meaning of Idiom “Cross Your (or one's) Fingers"

1. Cross your fingers means to hope for success or good luck. The variant keep your fingers crossed has the same meaning.

2. Based on the same idiom and superstition is the childhood practice of crossing one's fingers behind one's back when telling a small lie, sometimes called a "little white lie." The crossed fingers are meant to cancel out the consequences or evil that might befall the lie teller or, in other words, render it powerless. One might say, after telling a lie, "I had my fingers crossed, meaning that the lie they told was only a white lie and doesn't really matter.

• If you refer to an untrue statement as a white lie, you mean that it is made to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to avoid trouble, and not for an evil purpose.

Examples Of Use

• The boss wants to meet with me today. I think I’m getting that raise! Cross your fingers.
• I feel good about this scratch-off ticket [刮刮乐彩票]. I’m going to win big. Here I go…cross your fingers!
• I think we may be getting a really big Christmas bonus this year. Keep your fingers crossed.
• "I'm going to ask Christine to marry me," said Andy. "I hope she says yes." "Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed," said Casey, "but of course she's going to say yes."
• I told mom that I didn't have any candy at Jackie's house, but I had my fingers crossed.

六级/考研单词: geometry, vertical, horizon, herald, limb, secular, thereby, seldom, conjunction, oval, signify, sacred, charm, harmony, christ, indigenous, complicate, verb, noun, idiom, fingerprint, superstition, wicked, teller, render, potent