Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “crosscut” come from?

Crosscut is a compound of cross and cut, with cut deriving from Middle English cutten, Old Norse kytja, and Proto-Germanic kutjaną.

crosscut (English): A crosswise cut; A shortcut; An instance of...

Definitions

  1. A crosswise cut; A shortcut; An instance of...

Ancestry of “crosscut”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishcross-exchange; switch; across; Indicating...
2Irishcros-cross-
3Irishcroscross; crosspiece; trial, affliction
4Old Irishcros—
5Latincruxwooden frame on which criminals were crucified,...
6Proto-Italic*kruks—
7Proto-Indo-Europeansḱer-to caw, crow
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sḱer- →