1. A line drawn across another.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., I. § 12. Next the forseide cercle … vnder the cros-lyne.
1768. W. Gilpin, Ess. Prints, 60. In engraving and etching we must get over the prejudices of cross lines, which exist on no natural bodies.
1804. Southey, Lett. (1856), I. 253. The ceiling has all the crosslines of the trowel.
2. Fishing. A line stretched across the river or stream, used in cross-fishing (see CROSS- B).
1891. Daily News, 9 Feb., 6/3. The Irish fishermen still use the crosslines.
Hence Cross-line v., to mark with cross-lines; Cross-lining vbl. sb.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, IV. i. 119. It were good for vs to crosselyne him what we may. Margin, The proud Spaniardes Mappa Mundi to be crossed.
1816. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 779. A white ground and black lines, reticulated work, which is technically called cross-lining … becomes to the wood-engravers of the present day an undertaking of immense labour.
