adverb / adjective
crosswise
KRAWS-wyze/ˈkrɔːswaɪz/
Across rather than along a direction.
The blue board lies crosswise over the narrow bench.
Etymology
With wise meaning “manner,” crosswise describes a crossing arrangement. Its early sense of crossing perpendicularly connects directly to going across something rather than along its length.
In context
When you pull the texsolv heddles off the spool, you'll see long loops alternating with short loops. Cut across each short loop crosswise.
More examples
- Lay the board crosswise over the two supports.
- A crosswise cut divides the cucumber into two shorter pieces.
- Fold the paper crosswise, bringing the short edges together.
Similar words
- across
- Often names what is crossed rather than specifying orientation.
- transversely
- More technical; describes a direction across a main axis.