English

Alternative forms

• crosshanded

Adjective

cross-handed ‎(not comparable)

1. Done with hands or forearms crossed over each other.
   • 2013, Dan Joset, Boost Your Driving Range and Master Your Putting, ISBN 1105063844:

     The cross-handed grip helps in maintaining the wrist position.

2. Done by crossing the hand to the other side of the body.
   • 2014, Gordon MacQuarrie, More Stories of the Old Duck Hunters, ISBN 1623435919:

     I wonder how it would be to stand right in the beginning of the fast water, at the lip of the pool, and try a cross-handed cast.

3. Involving two opposing directions.
   • 2011, Alexis Mendez & ‎T. F. Morse, Specialty Optical Fibers Handbook, ISBN 0080474993, page 416:

     Appreciable scattering of cross-handed radiation occurred in the middle of the band, leaving regions near the long- and short-wavelength band edges in which scattering of cross-handed radiation was negligible.

4. (obsolete) Back-handed.
   • 1900, Signs of the Times, and Doctrinal Advocate and Monitor, Volume 68:

     We believe and are thoroughly convinced that God's blessings come to his church in a cross-handed way, entirely different, in many instances, from the way we expect them.

Adverb

cross-handed ‎(not comparable)

1. With hands or forearms crossed over each other.
   • 2009, Dr. Craig L. Farnsworth, The Putting Prescription: The Doctor's Proven Method for a Better Stroke, ISBN 0470459182, page 42-43:

     Both Arnold Palmer and Gary Player have been quoted as saying that if they could change one thing about their games, they would have putted cross-handed early in their career.

2. While crossing the hand to the other side of the body.
   • 2007, James Brady, Warning of War: A Novel of the North China Marines, ISBN 1429901969, page 297:

     Joe got them to rig him a holster so he could draw the .45 cross-handed.

3. In two opposing directions.
   • 1975, Hans G. Furth & ‎Harry Wachs, Thinking Goes to School: Piaget's Theory in Practice, ISBN 019501927X, page 79:

     Or he can walk cross-handed following the principle of the cross-legged walk. In this variation, he can move forward, backward, or sideways.

4. (rowing) Facing forward and pushing the oars away from the body on the power stroke (rather than facing backward and pulling the oars on the power stroke).
   • 1844, Rufus Dawes, Nix's Mate: An Historical Romance of America, ISBN 1465561226:

     Just then, a sailor, who had crossed the channel, and was making rapid headway, by rowing cross-handed, emerged from behind a merchant vessel which was moored at the wharf.

5. Idly.
   • 1978, Israel Digest - Volume 21, page 29:

     Why do we sit cross-handed and do nothing which would serve as a basis upon which to build the salvation of our people?

6. (obsolete) Back-handedly.
   • 1835, The Spiritual magazine, or Saint's Treasury, Volume XI, page 305:

     ..the end has been answered, though the channel of conveyance has been in direct opposition to what I wanted or expected, like as Jacob in blessing Joseph's sons, he wittingly -- ah it is wittingly indeed, we are blessed; namely, cross-handed.