Definition of cross through

The expression "cross through" is a modern phrasal verb that has evolved over time to convey the meaning of striking or marking a line through a word, phrase, or item to indicate cancellation, deletion, or modification. The word "cross" in this context comes from Old English "crosian," meaning "to create a mark or sign by making a cross." This usage can be traced back to the 15th century when "cross" was used to denote the mark made by an X or a plus sign (+) used to cancel out numbers in medieval manuscripts or accounts. Over time, the phrase "cross out" became widely used to indicate the cancellation of a word, phrase, or passage by drawing a vertical line through it, allowing it to be interpreted as "cross through." This usage can be found in literary works and dictionaries from the 18th century onwards. Today, "cross through" is a common expression used in various contexts, such as editing documents, reviewing proofs, marking tests, and crossing off items on to-do lists. Its simplicity and clarity make it a useful term for quickly and clearly conveying the idea of canceling, deleting, or modifying something by drawing a line through it. In summary, the expression "cross through" is derived from the Old English roots "crosian" and "through," and its origins can be traced back to medieval manuscripts, where the term referred to cancelling out numbers by making an X or plus sign (+). Its usage as a phrasal verb to indicate cancellation, deletion, or modification by marking a vertical line through a word or phrase began to emerge in the 18th century, and it has since become a widely used expression in modern English.