cross (subs.) Copy link Outline I. The instrument of punishment, which sometimes was a single stakeII. The shape or figure so called1. dĕcussis, is2. quincunx, ncis, m.3. literae X formaIII. The Christian symbolIV. Any trouble or suffering1. crux2. mŏlestia, crŭciātus, mala atque incommoda pro Christo perpessaV. In breeding animals • cross (subs.): I. The instrument of punishment, which sometimes was a single stake: crux, crŭcis, f.: to fix to a c., in cruce suffigere, Cic. (v. crucify): to hang on a c., in cruce pendere, Plin.: to set up a c. for any one, alicui c. statuere, Suet. II. The shape or figure so called: 1. dĕcussis, is: the figure X: Vitr.: Plin. 2. quincunx, ncis, m.: esp. in phr. in quincuncem, cross-wise, as the points were arranged for five unciae :·: v. cross-wise. 3. literae X forma: to make an incision in the form of a c., incidere ad similitudinem, ad figuram literae X, Cels. (Q.) Phr.: to divide after the manner of a c., decusso, 1: Cic. N.B. Crux is not used in this sense in classical writers, as the shape of the cross varied in ancient times (v. supr. I.), but it would perhaps be pedantic to avoid such a use of the word now: thus we might say, a building which forms a c., *aedificium crucis formam habens, referens: to sign a document with a c., *tabulas crucis forma subscribere. III. The Christian symbol: crux: Vulg. Often used by meton. for the Christian faith: as, the missionary of the c., *fidei Christianae nuntius: but in this sense perh. crux may be sometimes used: cf. Vulg. 1 Cor. 1, 17, 18. IV. Any trouble or suffering: 1. crux: cf. Ter. Phor. 3, 3, 11: "quaere in malo crucem," i. e. in malo aliud malum, Don.: Pl.: the life of a good monk is itself a c., vita boni monachi c. est, à Kempis. 2. mŏlestia, crŭciātus, mala atque incommoda pro Christo perpessa: v. affliction. V. In breeding animals: mixtum s. confusum genus: cf. Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 195: see also hybrid.