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cross section

 - 4 dictionary results

cross section

–noun
1. a section made by a plane cutting anything transversely, esp. at right angles to the longest axis.
2. a piece so cut off.
3. a photograph, diagram, or other pictorial representation of such a section.
4. the act of cutting anything across.
5. a typical selection; a sample showing all characteristic parts, relationships, etc.: a cross section of American opinion.
6. Surveying. a vertical section of the ground surface taken at right angles to a survey line.
7. Also called nuclear cross section. Physics. a quantity expressing the effective area that a given nucleus presents as a target to a bombarding particle, giving a measure of the probability that the particle will induce a reaction.

Origin:
1825–35

cross-sec⋅tion

[kraws-sek-shuhn, kros-]
–adjective
1. Also, cross-sec⋅tion⋅al. of or pertaining to a cross section.
–verb (used with object)
2. to make or divide into a cross section.

Origin:
1875–80
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cross section
cross section also cross-sec·tion   (krôs'sěk'shən, krŏs'-)
n.  
    1. A section formed by a plane cutting through an object, usually at right angles to an axis.

    2. A piece so cut or a graphic representation of such a piece.

  1. Physics A measure of the probability that an encounter between particles will result in the occurrence of a particular atomic or nuclear reaction. Also called collision cross section.

  2. Statistics A sample meant to be representative of a whole population.

  3. Informal A variety; a diversity.

cross'-sec'tion·al (krôs'sěk'shə-nəl, krŏs'-) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cross section
Function: noun
: a cutting or piece of something cut off at right angles to an axis; also : a representation of such a cutting —cross–sec·tion·al /"kro(s)-'sek-shn&l, -sh&n-&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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