crisscross
UK[ˈkrɪsˌkrɒs]US[ˈkrɪsˌkrɔːs]
v
to move or exist in a pattern of lines that cross each other repeatedly
n
a pattern made of lines that cross each other repeatedly
adj
moving or lying in a pattern of crossing lines
adv
in a pattern of crossing lines
Etymology
the word "crisscross" originated in the 16th century as an alteration of the phrase "christ's cross," a term used to refer to the mark of a cross, especially the one prefacing the alphabet in a hornbook, a primer for children. the "christ's" was gradually reduced to "criss" through a process of folk etymology and contraction, common in frequently spoken phrases. the subsequent reduplication to "crisscross" reinforced the sense of a network of intersecting lines, mirroring the pattern of the alphabet grid in the primer. over time, it evolved from this specific reference to denote any pattern, movement, or arrangement characterized by lines crossing over one another.
Analysis
this is a reduplicative compound, a common word-formation process in english where a word is repeated with a slight alteration (often a vowel change). it is not productively built from classical roots. the first element "criss" is an alteration of "christ," and the whole is a reduplication of "cross."
Examples
the hiking trails crisscross the entire national park.
the map was covered with a crisscross of red and blue lines.
she tied the package with crisscrossing ribbons.