preposition / adverb
across
uh-KRAWS/əˈkrɔːs/
From one side or part to another.
The walker crosses from one bank to the other across the bridge.
Etymology
The phrase literally meant “on cross,” with early senses referring to a cross shape or a crossed position. That crosswise arrangement developed into the directional meaning “from one side to the other.”
In context
scramble across rocks and things like that on the downstream side
More examples
- Stores across the country begin the sale tomorrow.
- The diagram gets her main point across.
- He passes the bowl across the table to his brother.
Similar words
- through
- Usually involves passage within something rather than over its breadth.
- throughout
- More strongly emphasizes every part of an area or range.