cross

Where does the word "cross" come from? It comes from Latin crux, passing through Old Irish and Old Norse before entering English (1100s).

Cross’s story begins in Latin: crux meant “a crucifix, a wooden frame.” The wooden structure used for crucifixion, later a symbol of Christian faith. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old Irish as cros. Carried through early Christian missionary contact into Irish. From there it passed into Old Norse as kross by medieval. Irish missionaries brought Christianity to the Norse; stone crosses stand in Viking-age Cumbria. It reached English by 1100s as cross. Settled as the standard English word for the cross shape and symbol. Today, cross means a shape formed by two intersecting lines, especially as a religious symbol.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient crux "a crucifix, a wooden frame", the wooden structure used for crucifixion, later a symbol of Christian faith.
2. Stage 2 · Old Irish · medieval cros "a Christian cross symbol", carried through early Christian missionary contact into Irish.
3. Stage 3 · Old Norse · medieval kross "a cross-shaped symbol", Irish missionaries brought Christianity to the Norse; stone crosses stand in Viking-age Cumbria.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1100s cross "an intersection of two lines, or the Christian symbol", settled as the standard English word for the cross shape and symbol.