crossroads
UK[ˈkrɒsrəʊdz]US[ˈkrɔːsroʊdz]
n
a place where two roads cross each other
n
a point at which an important decision must be made
Morpheme Breakdown
cross
roads
cross
across
roads
ways for travel
Etymology
The word 'crossroads' is a transparent compound formed from two native English elements. 'Cross' entered English via Old Norse and Old Irish from Latin 'crux', which originally denoted a stake or torture instrument but came to signify the intersecting shape. 'Road' derives from the Old English 'rād', meaning a riding or journey, which evolved to mean the prepared way upon which one travels. The compound literally means 'intersecting roads' or 'ways that lie across each other'. Its figurative sense, denoting a critical juncture requiring a choice, logically extends from the literal meaning of a place where paths meet and one must select a direction.
Analysis
Structure: cross (across) + roads (ways for travel)
'cross' is from Old English 'cros', ultimately from Latin 'crux, crucis' (a stake, cross), functioning as an adjective or noun meaning 'across' or 'intersecting'. 'roads' is from Old English 'rād' (a riding, journey, road), functioning as a noun meaning 'ways for travel'.
Examples
we came to a crossroads and weren't sure which way to turn.
the company is at a crossroads and must decide whether to expand or consolidate.
the old inn stood at a busy crossroads.