crisscross

The alphabet; -- formerly so called, either from the cross usually set before it, or from a superstitious custom, sometimes practiced, of writing it in the form of a cross, by way of a charm. [ 1913 Webster ]

From infant conning of the Christcross-row. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ A corruption of Christcross. ] 1. A mark or cross, as the signature of a person who is unable to write. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A child's game played on paper or on a slate, consisting of lines arranged in the form of a cross. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To mark or cover with cross lines; as, a paper was crisscrossed with red marks. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In opposite directions; in a way to cross something else; crossing one another at various angles and in various ways. [ 1913 Webster ]

Logs and tree luing crisscross in utter confusion. W. E. Boardman. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. With opposition or hindrance; at cross purposes; contrarily; as, things go crisscross. [ 1913 Webster ]