In the New Testament the instrument of crucifixion, and hence used for the crucifixion of Christ itself (Ephesians 2:16; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:17, 18; Galatians 5:11; 6:12, 14; Philippians 3:18). The word is also used to denote any severe affliction or trial (Matthew 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21).

The forms in which the cross is represented are these:

1. The crux simplex (I), a "single piece without transom."

2. The crux decussata (X), or St. Andrew's cross.

3. The crux commissa (T), or St. Anthony's cross.

4. The crux immissa (t), or Latin cross, which was the kind of cross on which our Saviour died. Above our Lord's head, on the projecting beam, was placed the "title." (see CRUCIFIXION.)

After the conversion, so-called, of Constantine the Great (B.C. 313), the cross first came into use as an emblem of Christianity. He pretended at a critical moment that he saw a flaming cross in the heavens bearing the inscription, "In hoc signo vinces", i.e., By this sign thou shalt conquer, and that on the following night Christ himself appeared and ordered him to take for his standard the sign of this cross. In this form a new standard, called the Labarum, was accordingly made, and borne by the Roman armies. It remained the standard of the Roman army till the downfall of the Western empire. It bore the embroidered monogram of Christ, i.e., the first two Greek letters of his name, X and P (chi and rho), with the Alpha and Omega. (See A.)

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) A gibbet, consisting of two pieces of timber placed transversely upon one another, in various forms, as a T, or +, with the horizontal piece below the upper end of the upright, or as an X. It was anciently used in the execution of criminals.

2. (n.) The sign or mark of the cross, made with the finger, or in ink, etc., or actually represented in some material; the symbol of Christ's death; the ensign and chosen symbol of Christianity, of a Christian people, and of Christendom.

3. (n.) Affliction regarded as a test of patience or virtue; trial; disappointment; opposition; misfortune.

4. (n.) A piece of money stamped with the figure of a cross, also, that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped; hence, money in general.

5. (n.) An appendage or ornament or anything in the form of a cross; a badge or ornamental device of the general shape of a cross; hence, such an ornament, even when varying considerably from that form; thus, the Cross of the British Order of St. George and St. Michael consists of a central medallion with seven arms radiating from it.

6. (n.) A monument in the form of a cross, or surmounted by a cross, set up in a public place; as, a market cross; a boundary cross; Charing Cross in London.

7. (n.) A common heraldic bearing, of which there are many varieties.

8. (n.) The cross like mark or symbol used instead of a signature by those unable to write.

9. (n.) Church lands.

10. (n.) A line drawn across or through another line.

11. (n.) A mixing of breeds or stock, especially in cattle breeding; or the product of such intermixture; a hybrid of any kind.

12. (n.) An instrument for laying of offsets perpendicular to the main course.

13. (n.) A pipe-fitting with four branches the axes of which usually form's right angle.

14. (a.) Not parallel; lying or falling athwart; transverse; oblique; intersecting.

15. (a.) Not accordant with what is wished or expected; interrupting; adverse; contrary; thwarting; perverse.

16. (a.) Characterized by, or in a state of, peevishness, fretfulness, or ill humor; as, a cross man or woman.

17. (a.) Made in an opposite direction, or an inverse relation; mutually inverse; interchanged; as, cross interrogatories; cross marriages, as when a brother and sister marry persons standing in the same relation to each other.

18. (prep.) Athwart; across.

19. (v. t.) To put across or athwart; to cause to intersect; as, to cross the arms.

20. (v. t.) To lay or draw something, as a line, across; as, to cross the letter t.

21. (v. t.) To pass from one side to the other of; to pass or move over; to traverse; as, to cross a stream.

22. (v. t.) To pass, as objects going in an opposite direction at the same time.

23. (v. t.) To run counter to; to thwart; to obstruct; to hinder; to clash or interfere with.

24. (v. t.) To interfere and cut off; to debar.

25. (v. t.) To make the sign of the cross upon; -- followed by the reflexive pronoun; as, he crossed himself.

26. (v. t.) To cancel by marking crosses on or over, or drawing a line across; to erase; -- usually with out, off, or over; as, to cross out a name.

27. (v. t.) To cause to interbreed; -- said of different stocks or races; to mix the breed of.

28. (v. i.) To lie or be athwart.

29. (v. i.) To move or pass from one side to the other, or from place to place; to make a transit; as, to cross from New York to Liverpool.

30. (v. i.) To be inconsistent.

31. (v. i.) To interbreed, as races; to mix distinct breeds.