cross-eyed
|cross-eyed|
🇺🇸
/ˌkrɔsˈaɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˌkrɒsˈaɪd/
eyes turned inward
Etymology
'cross-eyed' originates from a compound of the words 'cross' and 'eye' in English. 'cross' derives from Old English 'cros' (from Latin 'crux') and 'eye' from Old English 'ēage'.
'cross' developed senses relating to being turned or opposed, and in combination with 'eye' produced the compound adjective 'cross-eyed' in Modern English to describe eyes that are turned inward; the element 'eye' comes from Old English 'ēage' and remained stable in form.
Initially it referred literally to eyes that were crossed or turned inward; over time it also acquired a figurative sense of eyes becoming strained or a person becoming bewildered from looking too hard or being overwhelmed.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is cross-eyed (one whose eyes are not properly aligned).
He used to be called a cross-eyed in old stories, though the term is now dated.
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Adjective 1
having the eyes turned toward each other; exhibiting strabismus (the eyes are not properly aligned).
The child was born cross-eyed and was referred to a specialist.
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Adjective 2
informal: having one’s eyes strained, blurred, or feeling confused from looking too hard at something (e.g., tiny print); figuratively, very puzzled or overwhelmed.
After reading the tiny text for an hour I went cross-eyed.
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Last updated: 2025/08/20 08:14