Meanings
alternative Christ-cross-row · alternative Chris-cross-row
- no pluralobsoleteThe alphabet.
From infant conning of the Christ-cross-row
1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion1 more example
For though I never attained to the outward flower of scholarship by proceeding to the learned degree of arts at either of the Universities, I gained the root and kernel of the matter at Bishop's Stortford, being able at the age of fourteen to write a fine hand, and read Eutropius, and Cæsar, and teach the horn-book and Christ-Cross to younger boys.
1897, Stanley John Weyman, chapter I, in Shrewsbury
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
Either from the cross usually set before it, or from a superstitious custom of writing it in the form of a cross, by way of a charm. See crossrow.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Christcross-row. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Christcross-row
“Christcross-row.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Christcross-row. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Christcross-row,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Christcross-row.
Source: Christcross-row on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.