cross-examine

[ kraws-ig-zam-in, kros- ]

verb (used with object),cross-ex·am·ined, cross-ex·am·in·ing.
  1. to examine by questions intended to check a previous examination; examine closely or minutely.

  2. Law. to examine (a witness called by the opposing side), as for the purpose of discrediting the witness's testimony.

Origin of cross-examine

1
First recorded in 1655–65

Other words from cross-examine

  • cross-ex·am·i·na·tion, noun
  • cross-ex·am·in·er, noun
  • un·cross-ex·am·ined, adjective

Words Nearby cross-examine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use cross-examine in a sentence

  • His mother, the next morning, casually began to cross-examine him concerning his sudden friendship for the girl.

    Mountain | Clement Wood
  • Now Morella's advocate rose to cross-examine, asking him who had made the arrangements for the marriage.

    Fair Margaret | H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for cross-examine

cross-examine

verb(tr)
  1. law to examine (a witness for the opposing side), as in attempting to discredit his testimony: Compare examine-in-chief

  2. to examine closely or relentlessly

Derived forms of cross-examine

  • cross-examination, noun
  • cross-examiner, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012