crosstree

[ kraws-tree, kros- ]

noun
  1. Nautical. either of a pair of timbers or metal bars placed athwart the trestletrees at a masthead to spread the shrouds leading to the mast above, or on the head of a lower mast to support the platform or top.

  2. Carpentry. a heavy crossbeam.

Origin of crosstree

1
First recorded in 1620–30; cross- + tree

Words Nearby crosstree

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

How to use crosstree in a sentence

  • But the rest was simple and the crosstree was quickly gained.

    For the Honor of the School | Ralph Henry Barbour
  • In her right hand she held a trumpet to her lips, and in her left she carried a crosstree, the framework of a trophy.

    Greek Sculpture | Estelle M. Hurll
  • Before considering the hitches, therefore, let us describe methods of slinging the load in such cases upon the crosstree saddle.

    Packing and Portaging | Dillon Wallace
  • This is a pretty good hitch sometimes where kyacks are not used and an irregular pack is swung upon the crosstree.

    Packing and Portaging | Dillon Wallace
  • Wayne paid no heed; he was already halfway up the great white-painted mast that terminated many feet above in a broad crosstree.

    For the Honor of the School | Ralph Henry Barbour

British Dictionary definitions for crosstree

crosstree

/ (ˈkrɒsˌtriː) /


noun
  1. nautical either of a pair of wooden or metal braces on the head of a mast to support the topmast, etc

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