Middle English Dictionary Entry
cros n.
Entry Info
Forms | cros n. Also crosce, cros(s)e, croz(e. Pl. crosses, cros(se. |
Etymology | OE (cp. cros in place names) & ON (cp. OI kross); both borrowed from OIr. cros; ult. L crux, crucis. Also cp. ML cros & AF cros (var. of croiz), but these may be borrowed forms in ML & AF. The rime cros-hors (Athelston, St.Editha) is significant; cp. Dan., Norw., Swed. kors, Scot. cors. Substitution of cros for crois is shown in 15th-cent. MSS by rimes: chois (Audelay), nois (RSicily vr.), vois (Chaucer CT.ML. vr.). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) A cross for crucifixion, a gibbet; (b) the cross of Christ; holi ~; Exaltacioun of the ~, a feast, Sept. 14; feste of the holi ~, feast of the Invention of the Cross, May 3; (c) winnen the ~, to recapture Christ's cross from the Saracens; (d) a part of Christ's cross (as a relic); (e) a vision of Christ's cross; signe of the ~, token of the ~.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Esth.5.15 : He comaundide to be maad redi an heiȝ cros [vr. cros, that is, a jebet; L crucem].
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))John 19.31 : The bodies schulde not dwelle in the cross [WB(2): abide on the cros] in the saboth.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21533 : He fand tua crosses and þat ilk.
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)71/549 : And with þe Emperoure was he [Peter] sone Demyd vnto ded to be done On a cros.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.40.19 : Pharao..shal honge thee in the crosse [L in cruce].
- c1460 Cursor (LdMisc 416)16917 : They yt did awey to be led with tho thevis crossis to.
- c1425 Wycl.Antichr.(2) (Dub 245)p.cxix : Martyres han suffrid many dyuers kyndis of peynes, as swerd, crosse, & sawe.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)148/35 : They cowde noȝt knowe the crosse of Crist fro the crosses of the theues.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.181 : Þere Seint Eleyne brouȝte þe holy crosse þat oure Lorde Crist deied on.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)8.75 : Sarcyns took Ierusalem and bere awey þe holy cros.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)5.245 : Crist, þat vppon Caluarie on þe Cros [B: crosse] diȝedest.
- a1400 Cursor (Phys-E)21792 : He þaim lachte And to biscide þe croz þaim taȝte.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)211 : How þe holy cros was kidde.
- c1405 Chaucer CT.ML.(Heng)B.450 : Vn to the cros of Crist thus seyde she.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)4/22 : Lord..þou diedist vpon þe cros.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)6/6-8 : Sum men trowen þat half the cros þat crist was don on be in Cipres in an abbey..þat men callen the hill of the holy cros.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)8/211 : Haue His passyon in þi mynd, þat dyed on cros [rime: choys].
- (1429) Will Braybroke in Ess.AST 5304 : I yeue to Johane..a crosselet of gold, in which is a part of the holy crosse.
- c1430 Chaucer CT.ML.(Cmb Gg.4.27)B.451 : O cler, o wilful auter holy cros [Heng: croys; rime: voys]!
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)16/34 : I am comyn to þe, Ihesu Cryst, þat deyd on þe Crosse.
- a1450 My trewest tresowre (Cmb Dd.5.64)10 : Sa charged with þi crosce & corond with thorne.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)174/39 : In þe which is summe of þe tre of þe holy crosse.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)94 : Eraclius..brout the Holy Crosse ageyn to Jerusalem..In the tyme of this emperoure was ordeyned that fest which is cleped Exaltacion of the Cros.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)879/22 : Joseph of Aramathy..toke downe our Lorde of the holy Crosse.
- a1475 Cross of ihesu (Rwl B.408)6 : Euer helpe us, crosse, with hym to a-ryse.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)146/25 : Ye schall haue in siche a day the feste of the holy rode, scilicet, the holy crosse.
c
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)393 : That betokeneth Goddes dede With his ennemyes for to fyght, To wynne the crosse yf that he myght.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1242/25 : He shall wynne the Holy Crosse.
d
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4286 : Help, holy cros of Brom holm!
e
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)5275,5283 : Þat taken of þe crose all men sal se..þis taken of þe cros in heven sal seme When our loverd sal com to deme.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)170/36 : She sawe a brighte crosse descendynge vpon hym.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)221 : On Corporis Christi day appered a blody crosse in the eyr.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)146/36 : He lokyd vp in-to heuene, and he seeþ there the signe of the crosse of Crist.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)147/4 : He made a symylitude of the same crosse þat he hadde seen.
1b.
(a) Fig. Christianity; (b) fig. crucifixion; (c) fig. the burden of a Christian; suffering; penance; (d) in oaths and exclamations.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.1.18 : The word of the cros is folye sothli to men perischinge.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Phil.3.18 : Manye walke..the enemyes of Cristis cross, whos ende deeth.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Phil.3.18 : I sey..hem to be þe enemys of þe crosse of crist.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Col.1.20 : In hym it pleside..alle thingis for to be reconsylid..he pesynge by the blood of his cross.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Heb.12.2 : Jhesu..suffride the cross..and sittith on the riȝthalf of the seete of God.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)79/27 : Fer be it to me..to make ony glory but in the cros, þat is þe passioun, of oure Lord.
c
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)13a : Pine is ihwer þurh cros idon to understonden.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 9.23 : If ony man wole come aftir me, denye he him silf, and take he his cross euery day, and sue he me.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 14.27 : He that berith not his cross..may not be my disciple.
- a1425(?a1400) PCounsel.(Hrl 674)157/16,22 : For þan arte þi-self a cros to þi-self..þee behouiþ..peynfuly bere þe birþin of þi-self as a cros.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.233 : Þerfore seiþ Crist afterward þat he þat takiþ not his crosse, and sueþ him, is not worþi of him. It is seid ofte tymes bifore, þat þis cros þat Crist spekiþ of is redynesse of mannis wille to suffre for Cristis sake.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)165/43 : Woo to ȝow þat beriþ oure lordes crosse vnwillyngis, þat castiþ awey disciplyne of oure lorde.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)5484 : What thing that may synne restresse, a verray crosce may callet be.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)57/31 : All cristys lif was a crosse & a martirdom.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)58/1,2,6 : All þis mortal lif is ful of miseries, & marked all aboute with crosses; and þe heier þat a man profitiþ in spirit, þe heyer crosses ofte tymes he findiþ..Neuerþeles..he feliþ gret fruyt growe to him þuruȝ þe suffiraunce of his crosse.
d
- c1440(a1400) Awntyrs Arth.(Thrn)97 : This knyghtis are vn-curtayse, by crose [vrr. crosse, cros] and by crede.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)169 : Þanne swoor þe kyng be cros and roode: 'Meete ne drynk schal do me goode, Tyl þat he be dede.'
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)1 : Cros and Curteis Crist þis begynnynge spede.
2.
(a) An ornamental likeness of the cross, a drawn or painted cross, a cross made of cloth; blak ~, red ~, whit ~; (b) an ornament shaped like a cross; the cross on a scepter; the cross guard of a sword; (c) the form of a cross made by placing things or by laying or spreading something; (d) her. a cross on a coat of arms; also, a crosslet; an ~, forming a cross or the ends of a cross; (e) the insignia of a crusader or of a pilgrim to the Holy Land; beren the ~, to be crusading; burnen with the ~, adorn (oneself) with the cross, join a crusade; marked with the (signe of the) ~, pledged to go on a crusade; nimen the ~, taken the (signe of the) ~, join a crusade; signed with the ~, pledged to go on a crusade or a pilgrimage; (f) ?a crusade.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)12b : Þe clað in ham [windows] beo twafald: Blac þet clað, þe cros hwit wið innen & wið uten.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)13a : Þreo crosses beoð: read & blac & hwit. þe reade limpeð to..martirs..þe blake cros limpeð to þeo þe makieð..penitence for ladliche sunnen..þus bitacneð hwit cros þe warde of hwit chastete.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21679 : Þaa þat cros had on þaim draun, Vr lauerd þam sauued.
- (1415) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)47 : Þat Elizabeth my wief have..aube, amice, fanon, and stole longyng þerto, þe crosse þerof riban and damaske.
- (1429-30) Rec.St.Mary at Hill72 : Also for makyng of ij crossis in a fusteyn vestement, viij d.
- (1442) Let.Bekynton in RS 56.2247 : He sent iiij men of his arraied with white crosses unto the gate.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)16.134,138 : Thanne Axede Iosepes the Signe Anon Of þe Cros þat he hadde In his scheld..it semed there In Al here siht A wondirful Red Cros.
- (1454-5) Acc.St.Ewen in BGAS 15150 : Item, the veyl, other wyse called the lent cloth of whyte lynen cloth with a cross of blue.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)881/6 : Uppon that shylde, he made a crosse of hys owne bloode.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)918/30 : In the pomell was a rede crosse.
- c1450(a1400) Chev.Assigne (Clg A.2)281 : A whyte shelde with a crosse vpon þe posse honged.
b
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)6.13 : He bar..Moni Cros [vrr. many crosses, many a cros] on his cloke and keiȝes of Rome.
- (1428) EEWills82/10 : I woll þat my best candelsteke y-gylt with þe cros be sold.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3335 : The toþer was cledde in a cote all of clene siluer, With a comliche crosse coruen of golde.
- (1466) Rec.St.Stephen in Archaeol.5034 : Anothir chalex ouergyldid, with a scochoun on the fote ther of, with a crose of golde in the ouer parte.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)144/4 : Arthurs swerde braste at the crosse and felle on the grasse..and the pomell and the sure handyls he helde in his honde.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)549/23 : Kynge Marke..kneled adowne and made hys othe uppon the crosse of the swerde that never..he wolde be ayenste arraunte knyghtes.
- a1486(a1460) Coron.Kings Eng.in Archaeol.57 (Mrg M 775)50 : The kynge..shall take the septre with the crosse in the right hande and the rodde in the lyfte hande.
- a1486(a1460) Coron.Kings Eng.in Archaeol.57 (Mrg M 775)53 : Two dukes..schall bere the kyngis septre with the crosse and the rodde of golde.
c
- (1408-17) Rec.St.Mary at Hillp.xcvi : Item, small wex Roll Candelles to make v crosses vpon the awter..ther most be made in the flore or pament an Andrewes crosse of small sonde of a foote Brede and an yarde thyck atte leest.
- c1465(?1373) *Lelamour Macer (Sln 5)22b : And stik þat erbe in þe corners of þe house, saying þis words 'in nomine patris' and makynge a crosse with þe erbe.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)69/13 : Anoynte hym with þis oynement..makyng þer-on with þis oynement a cros.
- a1486(a1460) Coron.Kings Eng.in Archaeol.57 (Mrg M 775)49 : The kynge shall..be anoyntid..in the heed in the maner of a crosse with the holy oyle and aftirwarde makynge a crosse in the heed with the holy anoyntynge.
d
- (c1460) Bk.Arms in Anc.7 (Hrl 2169)203 : The armys of Yorke beryth gowlys iiij lebardys of gold passant an crosse wyth iiij woyderys of sylver.
- (c1460) Bk.Arms in Anc.9 (Hrl 2169)162 : The armes of seynt Tybbaute vj crosseys bottone pychey of gold, the filld gules.
- (c1460) Bk.Arms in Anc.9 (Hrl 2169)167 : [Quartyrly] sylyvr and gowlys, iiij crosse ferdemolyne of the same..A beryth a poynt sylvyr, the chefe enty of asewre, v crosse forme of gold.
e
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)8.5 : Meny oþer, þat hadde i-take þe cros [L cruce signati] to þe Holy Lond, chese þe londe way.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)8.123 : While kyng Richard bare þe crosse and þe signe of oure Lord.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)8.255 : Edward..toke þe signe of þe cros.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)389 : His croper was of sylke, Upon his shulder a crosse rede.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)170/30,39 : A famylier frend..signyd wiþ þe crosse, shulde dye..And þof þat man taken wiþ deþe didde not his pilgrimage, ȝit mykel parte of purgatory..was forgyuen to þe same man, signed wiþ þe crosse.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)333/34 : Þis knyght burnyd hym with þe cros, and went to beyond se.
- c1450 Lond.Chron.Cleo.(Cleo C.4)132 : He toke the crosse and forswore this lande.
- c1450 Rich.(Add 31042)557 : Cros [Brunner: In hys scheeld a croys red as blood].
- c1450 Rich.(Add 31042)1387 : Crosse [Brunner: Mekyl ffolk þe croys haue nomen].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)8.75 : Ricardus..was merkede with the signe of the crosse [L cruce signatur].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)8.255 : Edwarde, the eldeste sonne of the kynge, was merkede with the crosse.
- a1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)38 : The kyng hys vowe had maked And at the pope the cros takyd.
f
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)1967 : And for the vyage and for the crose, He sholde be in gree and take lose.
3.
(a) A cross formed by two lines drawn or cut on a surface; -- used as a marker, signature, etc.; (b) two lines intersecting at right angles; (c) a cross stamped or cut on a coin; esp., the cross on one side of some English coins; also, a die used for stamping the cross on coins; ~ and pile, the head and tail of a coin; ~ and pile stonden in balaunce, everything is uncertain; neither ~ ne pile, no money at all; (d) a coin.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.6] 77a : Upon the ende of this est lyne..is marked a litel crosse.
- a1425 Ordin.Nuns(1) (Lnsd 378)143/15 : Hir maistres sall gyffe hir a penne with ynke, & þe nouyce sal make a crosse on þe buke of hir profession.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)166 : If a marchant..haue myche nede forto bithenke upon a certeine erand, it is weel allowid..that he write sum seable cros or mark or carect with cole or chalk in the wal of his chaumbre or hal.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)1.16.13 : This same bordure is dividid also with 23 lettres capitals and a small crosse (✚) above the south lyne.
- a1450 Ihesu þat hast (BodAdd E.4)p.60 head. : In seyinge of þis orisone, stinteþ and abideþ at euery crose and þinkeþ whate ȝe haue seide.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)102 : But j ouhte make a crosse thanne, For it shulde be the firste time that euere he hadde wel counseiled me.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)102/20 : Make a plate of leed..and make a crosse at eueri corner.
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.13 : My pen in hand I tuke, And maid a ✚, and thus begouth my buke.
b
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.15] 80a : The wombe syde of thyn astrelabie is also diuided with a long crosse in foure quarters, fro est to west, fro south to north.
c
- c1293 *Memoranda K.R.20 & 21 Edw.I, m.35b.cedule [OD col.] : Inuente sunt inter bona illa due pecie quarum vna vocatur pila et alia crosse que vocantur cuneus ad monetam Regis cudendam.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.508 : Þat Rode þei honoure Þat in grotes is ygraue and in golde nobles; For coueityse of þat crosse, men of holykirke Shul tourne as templeres did.
- c1460(?c1435) Lydg.Let.Glo.(Hrl 2255)30,59 : Ther was no cros, nor prent of no visage..Oonly for lak and scarsete of coignage..Of cros nor pyl ther is no reclus.
- c1450 The law of god (Add 37788)12 : Here-In of al wynnyng lyth crosse & pile.
- c1470(?1458) Wey Money (Bod 565)2 : Take in yowre chavnge from Brugies of gelderynys wyth a rownd bal and a crosse above.
- c1475(?a1440) Burgh Cato(1) (Rwl C.48)718 : Sume man ther is that hathe nouthir cros ne pile.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)862 : With þe crose & þe pyll, I xall wrye yt.
- a1500 Now god þat syttyst (Cmb Ff.1.6)p.240 : Al ys ryghte and no wronge..Crosse and pyle standen in balaunce.
- c1500 Money Coins MSS Hast.in HMC (Hnt HU 1051)419 : A lew of Flaundris, on the on syd a crosse chekon and on the odir syde a lyon..A Savoy Crowne, on the on side a crosse and on the odir sid a playn crosse within a shilde..A Demy of Scotland, on the on syde a lebard..and on the odir sid a litill sent Andrews crosse.
d
- ?c1425 Hoccl.RP (Roy 17.D.6)p.25 : Loke whethir In this purs be ony crosse or crouche..The feende, men seyne, may hoppe in a pouche Whan that no crosse therein may appeere.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)123/3661 : A man may bie, out crosse or crowche, ynowe of them gret habundaunce.
4.
(a) The mark of a cross cut on the body or across a wound; a cross made on the crown of a madman; (b) a madman, a fool; maken to ~, to give (oneself) the appearance of a madman.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)136/14 : Summen kutte aboue þe hurtynge in þe maner of a crose.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)294/16 : Wiþ an hoot iren, make a cros vpon þe middil of þe passioun.
- c1440(a1350) Isumb.(Thrn)136 : And with a knyfe son gerte he schare A crose appone his schuldir bare.
- c1450 RSicily (Cmb Ii.4.9)163 : A foole he shulde be shore..and one hys crowne make a crosse [rime: noyse].
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)20306 : Baldulf lette striken to þan bare lichen his bærd and his chinne and makede hine to crosse.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)20320-5 : Ofte me hine smæt..swa me deð crosce [Otho: so me sal an fole]..nauere na mon nuste of Baldulfes custe buten hit weore crosse [Otho: a fol] icumen to þan hirede.
5.
(a) The sign of the cross made with the right hand or with fingers; Cristes ~, signe of the (holi) ~; (b) casten a ~, to make a cross [?the sign of the cross, ?a cross formed by a body or bodies, ?a cross drawn on the ground] as part of a spell to ward off evil.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)726 : Heo wið Cristes cros cruchede hire oueral.
- ?c1225 Ancr.(Cleo C.6:Morton)18 : Makeð an cros from þe foreheaued.
- a1400 Ancr.Recl.(Pep 2498)16/14 : And þan [make] foure crosses wiþ þise foure clauses.
- a1400 Rolle Encom.Jesu (Hrl 1022)191 : I turned me to god..makande þo crosse with my fingur in my brest.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)28.36 : The Signe Of the holy Cros On him made he tho.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)491 : Loke thou make a cros on the.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)296 : He hym blessed and mad a crosse [rime: horse].
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)1822 : Þat mayde..Made fulle oft-tymes a crosse by-fore here throte.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)149/44 : She callyd sum preste, þat shulde make a crosse wiþ his fynger on þe sore place of seeknesse.
- c1460 Cursor (LdMisc 416)18338 : Our lord toke vs his hond..And on Adam a Crosse he made.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)130/12 : He hadde made þe signe of the crosse in the panne.
- a1500 Game and ernest (BodPoet e.1)p.241 : Make a cros vpon thi brest.
b
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)109/289 : For ferde we be fryght a crosse lett vs kest; Cryst crosse, benedyght eest and west, ffor drede.
6.
(a) A small cross; a crucifix; (b) a larger cross or crucifix in a church; crepen to ~ [see crepen]; (c) a cross or crucifix carried before a procession; a cross placed or carried at the head of an army; signe of the ~; (d) a cross on a grave.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)396 : Se ȝe not þe tweyne Angeles?..þat on bereþ a cros, þat oþer a swerd kene.
- (1394) Will York in Sur.Soc.4199 : Un crosce d'argent endore.
- c1405 Chaucer CT.Prol.(Heng)A.699 : He hadde a cros of laton ful of stones.
- (1432) Rec.St.Mary at Hill26 : Also ij crossis, on siluer & gelt & anoþer kristall.
- (1454-5) Acc.St.Ewen in BGAS 15152 : One cros of Coper and ouer gylt, with a nother cros of latene, and a cros of tre.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1015/27 : The other hylde a crosse and the ornementis of an awter.
- (1472) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum5 : Crosses with staffys..Item j grete crosse of silver and Marye and John and gilt..ij lasse crosses of silver gilt without Marye and John.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)8.129 : Vesselles of silver, crosses, chalyces..were abrasede and meltede.
b
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3876-8 : He..kneled down, þe cros to kesse; Þe crucyfyx, þat þere was leyd, hys armes fro þe cros vpbreyd.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)18.428 : And crepeth to þe crosse on knees & kisseth it for a iuwel!
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)189 : Off every pece of ston entayle or marble, as of thurwys, coverclys, crossys [F croyz], stonys, or funtys, and other such maner of stonys, ob.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)231/5 : Aftyr þe vse of þe cuntre, þe Cros was reisyd on Estern Day a-bowte noon-tyme.
- (1446) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 484 : Payd for the new Crosse, and the makyng of the canape, and the other crosse, xj s.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)174/38 : Of þe litil crosse þat is in þe chirche of Oegines..she sawe go oute a beem.
- (1454-5) Acc.St.Ewen in BGAS 15162 : Summa resceyued to the cros viij li. xiij s. vj d. ob. & xj vnces quarter of broke syluer.
- (1460) Will York in Sur.Soc.30248 : I bewitte..to the kirkewarke of Saynt Martyn at Semer vj s. viij d., and to the crose iij s. iiij d.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)602/1 : William Brian..to paye j serge, euery day to brenne at the masse, afore the crosse, for the soule of Isabelle.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)37/29 : The cros in the Cee churche..the Citteseynes wold haue take wyth ham.
c
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)31386 : He [Oswald] lette sone arere a muchel cros and mare.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.455 : Oswaldus knelede and rerede a crosse [vr. cros].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21719-22 : Cros es..Baner of hali kirc..Men has noght herd þat folk be lorn þat hali crose has wit þam born, Bot has bitid oft..þat less folk ouercummen þe mar.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)15086 : To þe cite þay come singand; Þe cros byfore, men bare in hand.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)147/6 : He made the signe of the crosse to go afore hym.
d
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)140 : In these dayes was Arthures body founde in the cherch ȝerd at Glaskinbury in a hol hok, a crosse of led leyd to a ston, and the letteris hid betwyx the ston and the led.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)8.63 : The body off kynge Arthure was..put into a beryalle of marbole conteynenge..a crosse of ledde.
7.
(a) An outdoor cross or crucifix; a roadside cross, boundary cross, market cross, etc.; cried at the ~ [see crien]; (b) in personal names and place names [see also Smith PNElem. 1.114 & 2.7].
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)332b/a : Ymages and crosse [L cruces] beþ ysette in suche weyes þat passynge men may knowe wheþer wey he schulde take.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)24/10,11,22 : And, as þei cam be a cros, hyr husbond sett hym down vndyr þe cros..þan sche knelyd down be-syden a cros in þe feld and preyd.
- (1442) Let.Bekynton in RS 56.2245 : They mette in the middis of the towne, at a crosse stonding upon the chirch dykside.
- c1475(a1400) Amadace (Tay 9)p.39 : Quen he come sex mile the cite fro, A crosse partut the way a-toe.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)148 : I herde hit myself Y-cried at þe crosse.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)102/24 : Iche worde þat ȝe speke, God hereth hem as lithly as þoo þat þei were cried at þe crosse.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)893/25 : He com to a stony crosse whych departed two wayes in waste londe.
- c1475 Guy(4) (Cai 107/176)9042 : As he com on a daye Ther as a brod wey leye, A feyre crose he saw stondyng.
- c1450 I see a Rybane (Clg A.2)38 : Lette neuere..thy councell at þe crosse be cryde.
b
- (1123) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)282 : Crosseby.
- (1163) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)282 : Magna Crossebi.
- (c1200) EPNSoc.3 (Bedf.& Hnt.)180 : Normannes cros.
- (1235) EPNSoc.27 (Der.)99 : Schakilcros.
- (1251) EPNSoc.27 (Der.)99 : Sakelcross.
- (c1260) EPNSoc.29 (Der.)722 : Blakemancros.
- (1262) EPNSoc.29 (Der.)722 : Leuedicros.
- (1279) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)385 : Crossedale.
- (1294) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)385 : Crozedal.
- (a1300) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)328 : Crosseker. Houthloscrosse.
- (1314) EPNSoc.29 (Der.)722 : Le Merecrosse.
- (1316) EPNSoc.4 (Wor.)26 : Atte Crose.
- (1327) Sub.R.Stf.in WSAS 7233 : Robertus atte Cros.
- (1334) Deed Norris in LCRS 934 : Le Crossefeld.
- (1354) Acc.Chester in LCRS 59216 : Alexander atte Crosse.
- (1411) EPNSoc.13 (War.)323 : Twycrosse.
- (1435) Doc.in Rec.B.Nottingham 2357 : Ye sayd lane gos into..ye Womans Merkeht on ye northe west syd ye Hencrose.
- (1446) in Rec.B.Nottingham 2182 : De uno mesuagio jacente in Notyngham juxta le Hencrosse.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)335 : He rod be Charynge-cros [rime: hors], And entryd into Flete-strete.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)546 : Þe bysschop..turnys hys brydyl and wendes agayn..Vnto þe Brokene-Cros off ston.
- (1455) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)317 : Le Treencrosse.
- (1459) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)317 : Whyȝthcros.
- (1469) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)317 : Godlakescrosse.
- (1479) EPNSoc.20 (Cum.)174 : Crosgilheued.
- (1479) EPNSoc.20 (Cum.)174 : Crosseland.
- ?a1500(a1471) Brut-1461(2) (Lyell 34)75 : Reynold Pocock..renounced the sayd articles opynly at Powles Crosse.
8.
A prelate's crosier; receven ~, taken ~ in hond, to become a bishop or archbishop; ~ of Caunterburi, the cross or crosier borne before the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.335 : Þe pope..restored his felowes bisshoppes þat com wiþ hym to here staat, crosses and rynges [L anulis et baculis].
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)5.23 : Concience with a Cros Comsede to preche.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)9.86 : Dobest..Bereþ A Busschopes cros; Is hoket atte ende to holden him in good lyf; A pyk is in þe ende to punge a-doun þe wikkede.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.12 : Resoun gan arrayen hym alle þe reume to preche And, with a crosse afor þe kynge, comsed þus to techen.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)11b/a : Cambuca: a bysshopes cros.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)440 : For i hadde neuere so mekyl nede, Siþ i took cros on hande.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)459 : Lay doun þy cros and þy staff, þy mytyr and þy ryng þat I þe gaff.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)139 : A bisshopes cros is wurshipful.
- (1454) Paston (Gairdner)3.2 : My Lord of Canterbury hathe received hys crosse.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)192 : Ther went with him the erchbischop and othir ten bischoppis, with the Crosse of Cauntyrbury.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1029/4 : There cam an olde man..clothed in lyknesse of a byshop, and had a crosse in hys honde.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)102 : Crosse of a byshop: Pedum..Cambuca.
- c1475(c1420) Page SRouen (Eg 1995)p.44 : Towarde the cytte come..vij abbottys with crossys gay.
- ?a1500(a1471) Brut-1461(2) (Lyell 34)94 : Where met wythe thaym master Thomas Bourchier, archebysshop of Caunterbury..wythe hys crosse before hym.
- ?a1500(a1471) Brut-1461(2) (Lyell 34)95 : Thay..made an open othe vpponne the cros of Caunterbury.
9.
Serving as a combining element in cpds. and combs. [cp. OED cross-, comb. form, as well as related senses of cross n. and cross adj.], in which it primarily denotes (not always distinguishably) (a) Christ's cross: ~ belle, a bell rung at the Elevation of the Host; ~ Crist, Crist ~ [see Crist]; ~ daies, the three days preceding Ascension Day; ~ hed, the top part of a cross; ~ man, a dweller at or near a cross; ~ shaft, ~ staf, a staff to which a cross, crosier, or crucifix is attached; also the long lower member of a cross; (b) an orientation transverse to the assumed major orientation: ~ aleie, a cross walk in a garden; ~ bar, a transverse bar; ~ bem, a transverse timber; ~ bend, a brace that runs crosswise of a structure; ~ brede, a cross piece of a cart; ~ dormaunt, a beam running perpendicularly across the main beams; ~ tre, a horizontal timber forming part of the structure of a mill; (c) the intersection of two lines, forming a cruciform shape: ~ ele, one side of the transept of a cruciform church; in pl., the transept; ~ line, a line crossing another line; ~ seil, a sail set across the mast; maken ~ seil, to haul the yards square across the mast; ~ sil, crossed beams forming the base of a pillory; ~ windoue, a lattice window; ~ wort, ~ worth, crosswort Galium cruciata; (d) with uncertain reference: ~ hed, some kind of fastening on a chest; ~ signifiing, ?crossing of optic nerves [cp. ML crucesignatio]; ~ trestel, some kind of trestle; ~ werk, some kind of needlework.
Associated quotations
a
- (1294) Close R.Edw.I399 : Hugh Crosman.
- (1327) in Fransson Surn.204 : Phil. Crosman.
- (1410) Will York in Sur.Soc.4549 : De j crosseheued de petra, et j crosseschaft cum j baso.
- (1428) Feudal Aids 1235 : Johannes Crosseman.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)186/35 : Þe preyste toke þe crosse-staf & smet on þe chirche-dor, & þe dor openyd a-geyn hym, & þan þe preyst entryd wyth þe Sacrament.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3212 : We will by þe Crosse-dayes encroche þeis londez, And at þe Crystynmesse-daye be crownend theraftyre.
- (1455) Acc.St.Ewen in BGAS 15159 : Item, for polusshyng & shauyng of the cros staf, j d.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)156 : In his deth he [Bishop Grosteste] appered to the Pope, and smet him on the side with the pike of his crosse staf.
- (1466) in Cox Churches Derb.86 : Item, one crosse staffe of tymbur stiched with pocok feders and golde leddur; Item, another crosse staffe poynted and layde with silver.
- (1466) Rec.St.Stephen in Archaeol.5034 : Item, ij pipes of Copper siluered for the Crosse staffe.
- (1472) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum5 : Crosses with staffys -- Item iij crosse staffys of silver, were of ij ben passel gilt.
- a1500 God of hewine (Tit A.26)69 : And whan he ryngythe the cros-belle, Pray than for a nothyr skylle.
- a1525(?1428) Cov.Leet Bk.115 : Hit is ordeyned that Will. Wymondeswold fey & clense his diches..betwixt þis & þe Crossedayes.
b
- (1320) Doc.Manor in MP 3450 : vi quercum prostratorum in Hesco pro Crossebendes ad molendinos de Brokes.
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)876 : Eschele, founs, et crossers; Laddre, botme, and crosse-bredes.
- (1400) Doc.Manor in MP 3460 : Pro nouis powhaylles, cros-tre, et Baces in poste molendini ibidem factis et imponendis.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)103a : The plute is..made like to þe side of an hous, wiþ a grounsel & ij stondinge postes and a cros beem.
- (1466) in Willis & C.Cambridge 393 : The same Roofe shal haue..first bemes right..with crosse dormauntes and the ioppijs, so that alle the gistes of the flore shal rest vpon the crosse dormauntes and..ioppijs.
- (1466) Rec.St.Stephen in Archaeol.5034 : Anothir chalex..with a crose of golde in the ouer parte and benethe an R with a crose bar of golde.
- 1532-1897(a1475) Ass.Ladies (Skeat)10 : Of gentilwomen fayre ther were also, Disporting hem..In crosse-aleys walking, by two and two.
c
- c1465(?1373) *Lelamour Macer (Sln 5)16b : Croswort is an erbe that beryth litell levis..and he beryth a white floure y like to a cross and a branche haviþ many white flouris.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)p.161 : Herba cruriatica is an herbe men clepe croswourth [Hrl: croswort].
- a1450 Agnus Castus (Roy 18.A.6)p.163 : And he haþ a flour ylyk to croswort.
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)102 : Then he tron on þo tres, & þay her tramme ruchen, Cachen vp þe crossayl, cables þay fasten.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.12] 78b : Next the forseid cercle of the a. b. c. vnder the crosse lyne is marked the scale in maner of two squyers.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[2.38] 95a : Ȝif thou drawe a cros lyne ouerthwert the compas justly ouer the lyne meridional, thanne hastow est & west & south.
- (1451) Will York in Sur.Soc.30157 : Lego ad..constructionem de lez crosse yles ejusdem ecclesiae..x libras argenti..predictas crosse ylez.
- (1453) Will York in Sur.Soc.30167 : In ecclesia sive capella B. M. Virginis..ad..constructuram de lez crosseylez ejusdem B. M.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2995 : Why make men cros-saill in myddis of þe mast?
- (1464) Doc.in Rec.B.Nottingham 2372 : Item, paied to John Hampton for a tree of hym' boght for to make the crosse sille and spurres of the said Pillorye.
- (1473-4) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum15 : Item, in takyng a-downe of the olde beme of the crosse ile, iiij d.
- c1475 Regina celi qwene (Hrl 2251)18 : At my croswyndowe I have in-leete His right arme clypped me in my bedde.
d
- (a1399) Oath Bk.Colchester6 : Chystys on-Boundyn, ob.; with crossheds, 1 d.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)127b/b : Of strabosite..Fforsoþ if it be vpward & dounward, al þingez þay make to appere double; And cause of þis is cancellacioun of þe ydolez in þe onyng or in þe crosse signifying..of neruez obtic [L in vnitione seu cruce signatione..neruorum opticorum].
- (1434) EEWills101/21 : Y bequethe to Robert Sharp..a good bordcloth with crosse werk.
- (1454) Will York in Sur.Soc.30173 : A peyre cardes, a crosse trestell, a matras.
10.
In phrases: after a ~, in a ~, in the shape of a cross, crosswise; on ~, across [see acrois].
Associated quotations
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)34a/b : He kitteþ & fleeþ after a crosse [L secundum crucem].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)75b/b : Which incarnatyue..is made wiþ a long bende and a brode, in bigynnyng at þe partie opposite of þe wonde, leding & reuoluyng þe 2 endez aboue þe wonde after a crosse [*Ch.(2): in crosse wise].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)143a/b : And if þer be to þe more sikernez infixed 2 nedilez in a crosse, And vnder þe nedilez be made ligature in 4 partiez, þe forseid ligature shal halde hem selfe more faste.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3667 : Be than cogge appon cogge..Castys crepers one crosse.
11.
As surname.
Associated quotations
- (1199) CRR(1) 2405 : Robertus Cros.
- (1328) in Archaeol.Cant.20168 : Andrew Crosse.
- (1332) Sub.R.Lond.in Unwin Finance62 : Willelmus Cros Cristemasse.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (1423-4) Doc.Brewer in Bk.Lond.E.183/1328 : Horold, atte Crosse yn Tourstrete, hath j Barell is nought morken, yfounde vpon þe shuldres of hese seruantes.
Note: New sense: 7.(c) as name of a brewery or an alehouse.--per SMK
Note: See note below for reassigning the names, including this one, to sense 11.--per MLL
- (1285) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames118 : Richard del Crosse.
- (1354) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames118 : Robert Cros.
Note: Needed for date.
Note: Belong to sense 11.
Note: I propose grouping all of the name (place-names, personal names, surnames, and the alehouse name) in this word under sense 11. This involves separating the two personal names (which actually may be surnames) from the place-names in sense 7.(b) and shifting both groups to sense 11. under subsense (a)--"in names," and subsense (b)--"in place-names." Keep sense 11.(c) as the alehouse name (assigned to sense 7.(c) in supplement note). Retain the "Smith PNElem." reference in sense 7.(b) in the gloss for sense 11.(b).--per MLL