cross fire

cross fire
noun
Etymology: cross (III)
1.
a. : firing in combat from two or more points so that the lines of fire cross

gaps in the barrier of artillery … filled by the cross fires of … machine guns — M.H.Armor

b.
(1) : a position or situation wherein the forces of opposing factions meet or cross

a son caught in the emotional cross fire of his parents

(2) : rapid or heated interchange

the cross fire of question and answer

2. : noise or interfering current set up in a telephone or telegraph circuit by the operation of a neighboring circuit — compare cross talk
3. : a sidearm pitch in baseball that cuts across the plate at an angle
4. or cross figure : a pattern in the figure of certain woods caused by distortion of the wood fibers and characterized usually by parallel mottled bands at right angles to the grain

* * *

1. lines of gunfire from two or more positions or combatants crossing one another, or a single one of such lines.
2. a brisk exchange of words or opinions.
3. a situation involving conflicting claims, forces, etc.
Also, crossfire.
[1855-60]

* * *

cross fire, or cross|fire «KRS FYR, KROS-», noun.
1. Military. a) gunfire coming from two or more opposite directions so as to cross; simultaneous fire along these lines: »

A truck was overturned and the occupants were caught in the cross fire of Israeli sharpshooters (Harper's).

 b) one of these lines.
2. Figurative. a verbal attack or indictment from two or more sources or directions: »

The cross fire between committee members and Pentagon representatives, called in to explain procurement methods, was sharp (Newsweek).

cross-fire «KRS FYR, KROS-», intransitive verb, -fired, -fir|ing.
1. to make or take part in a cross fire.
2. to strike a hind foot against a front foot: »

Pacers are more likely to cross-fire than trotters.

3. to direct X rays from several points so that they cross or converge at one given point.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • cross|fire — cross fire, or cross|fire «KRS FYR, KROS », noun. 1. Military. a) gunfire coming from two or more opposite directions so as to cross; simultaneous fire along these lines: »A truck was overturned and the occupants were caught in the cross fire of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cross fire — Cross Cross (kr[o^]s), a. 1. Not parallel; lying or falling athwart; transverse; oblique; intersecting. [1913 Webster] The cross refraction of the second prism. Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster] 2. Not accordant with what is wished or expected;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cross fire — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Cross Fire est un film américain réalisé par Otto Brower, sorti en 1933 ; Cross Fire est une série de bande dessinée créée par Jean Luc Sala et… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • cross-fire — also crossfire, 1860, from CROSS (Cf. cross) (adj.) + FIRE (Cf. fire) …   Etymology dictionary

  • cross fire — cross′ fire or cross′fire n. 1) mil gunfire issuing from two or more positions so that the lines of fire cross one another 2) a brisk or angry exchange of words or opinions 3) a situation involving conflicting claims, forces, etc • Etymology:… …   From formal English to slang

  • cross fire — index barrage, counterattack Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Cross Fire — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Cross Fire peut désigner : Cross Fire, un film américain réalisé par Otto Brower, sorti en 1933 ; Cross Fire, une série de bande dessinée créée… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • cross-fire — ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ verb Etymology: cross fire intransitive verb 1. : to set up or cause cross fire 2. : to overreach by striking the opposite forefoot used of horses (as pacers) 3. a …   Useful english dictionary

  • cross fire — {n.} 1. Firing in a fight or battle from two or more places at once so that the lines of fire cross. * /The soldiers on the bridge were caught in the crossfire coming from both sides of the bridge./ 2. Fast or angry talking back and forth between …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • cross fire — {n.} 1. Firing in a fight or battle from two or more places at once so that the lines of fire cross. * /The soldiers on the bridge were caught in the crossfire coming from both sides of the bridge./ 2. Fast or angry talking back and forth between …   Dictionary of American idioms

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