v. [CROSS- 6 c.]
1. trans. To examine by cross-questioning; to examine by questions adapted to check the results of previous examination; to examine minutely or repeatedly. (In quot. 1664 humorous.)
1664. Butler, Hud., II. iii. 212/1137. A Monster … Had cross-examin’d both our Hose, And plundred all we had to lose.
1667. Decay Chr. Piety, 149 (J.). If we may but cross-examine, and interrogate their actions against their words, these will soon confess … the invalidity of their solemnest Confessions.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 94. The accused party was furnished with no copy of the charge. He was examined and crossexamined.
2. spec. To subject (a witness who has already given evidence on behalf of one side in a legal action) to an examination by the other side, with the purpose of shaking his testimony or eliciting from him evidence that favors the other side.
1697. in Cumbrld. & Westm. Archæol. Soc. Trans., VIII. 101. [This Exceptant] Did then by his Councell … Crosse Examine the Wittnesses p’duced … on the Repondts behalfe.
1752. J. Louthian, Form of Process (ed. 2), 207. The Prosecutor first examines the Witnesses produced against the Prisoner, and then the Prisoner may cross-examine them.
1755. Johnson, Cross-examine, to try the faith of evidence by captious questions of the contrary party.
Mod. The witness was severely cross-examined, but without shaking her evidence on any material point.
Hence Cross-examination, the action of cross-examining; Cross-examiner, -examining.
1827. Bentham, Ration. Evid., Wks. 1843, VI. 378. Completeness of the mass of evidence … is … an object at which, by cross-examination and a variety of other means, English procedure never ceases to aim.
1838. Penny Cycl., X. 103/1. In a court of common law … the cross-examination of a witness follows and is founded upon what the witness has stated in his examination in chief.
1864. Bowen, Logic, xiii. 429. Very few … can be trusted to report their own observations, until they have undergone a severe cross-examination.
1838. Dickens, O. Twist, xxxi. ‘Why not?’ demanded Rose. ‘Because, my pretty cross-examiner’ replied the doctor: ‘because … there are many ugly points about it.’
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 266. On whom Socrates tries his cross-examining powers.
