Cross-reading. World English Historical Dictionary

Cross-reading. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1893, rev. 2025. Cross-reading

[CROSS- 9.] A reading across the page instead of down the column (of a newspaper, etc.), producing a ludicrous connection of subjects. Also fig.

1

1768–84.  New Foundling Hospital for Wit, II. contents, ‘Cross Readings from the Newspapers’ [Article at p. 235, signed ‘Papyrius Cursor,’ by Caleb Whitefoord].

2

1784.  Boswell, Johnson (1887), IV. 322. His [Whitefoord’s] ingenious and diverting cross-readings of the newspapers.

3

1822.  Hazlitt, Table-t. (1852), 247. A large allowance is frequently to be made for cross-readings in the speaker’s mind.

4

1830.  Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. IV. 12. Stephen spoke of his home, the city; Peggy of hers, the west-end;—and a few mistakes and cross-readings ensued.

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