- cross-purpose
-
/kraws"perr"peuhs, kros"-/, n.1. an opposing or contrary purpose.2. at cross-purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally.[1660-70]
* * *
Universalium. 2010.
cross-purpose
Look at other dictionaries:
Cross Purpose — Studio album by Spooky Tooth Released Feb 23, 1999 Recorded Jul 22, 1 … Wikipedia
Cross purpose — Cross Cross (kr[o^]s), a. 1. Not parallel; lying or falling athwart; transverse; oblique; intersecting. [1913 Webster] The cross refraction of the second prism. Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster] 2. Not accordant with what is wished or expected;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
cross-purpose — cross pur pose ( p?r p?s), n. 1. A counter or opposing purpose; a contrary aim; hence, that which is inconsistent or contradictory. Shaftesbury. [1913 Webster] 2. pl. A conversational game, in which questions and answers are made so as to involve … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
cross-purpose — [krôs′pʉr′pəs] n. a contrary or conflicting purpose at cross purposes having, or acting under, a misunderstanding as to each other s purposes … English World dictionary
cross-purpose — cross′ pur′pose n. an opposing or contrary purpose • at cross purposes Etymology: 1660–70 … From formal English to slang
cross-purpose — noun Date: 1668 a purpose usually unintentionally contrary to another purpose of oneself or of someone or something else usually used in plural < the two were always working at cross purposes > … New Collegiate Dictionary
cross-purpose — noun A contrary or conflicting purpose or understanding, especially an unintentional or misconceived one. We are working at cross purposes here, if youre trying to reduce the count and Im trying to increase it … Wiktionary
cross-purpose — /krɒs ˈpɜpəs / (say kros perpuhs) noun 1. an opposing or contrary purpose. –phrase 2. be at cross purposes, (sometimes followed by with) to be involved in a misunderstanding, such that each person makes a wrong interpretation of the other s… …
cross-purpose — noun a contrary aim (Freq. 1) at cross purposes • Hypernyms: ↑purpose, ↑intent, ↑intention, ↑aim, ↑design … Useful english dictionary
cross purpose — contrary purpose, purpose that opposes another, involuntarily conflicting purpose … English contemporary dictionary
