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Glite Dictionary
St. Anthony's cross

St. Anthony's cross

8.9
A cross shaped like the letter T used as a symbol of Saint Anthony
  • noun
translation icon : cruz de San Antonio
  • The architect incorporated the design of a St. Anthony's cross into the church's stained glass window.

Examples

  • The monk wore a pendant in the shape of a St. Anthony's cross around his neck.

  • She explained that the St. Anthony's cross symbolizes protection and faith.

  • Look at that beautiful St. Anthony's cross on the wall!

  • The church displayed a beautiful St. Anthony's cross.

  • The monk wore a pendant in the shape of a St. Anthony's cross around his neck.

  • The architect incorporated the design of a St. Anthony's cross into the church's stained glass window.

  • The church displayed a beautiful St. Anthony's cross.

Synonyms

tau cross
vsSt. Anthony's cross
9.3

A Christian symbol shaped like the letter T often seen in art

is traditionally linked to a specific saint rather than general symbolic use

Surface Forms

St. Anthony's cross singular
St. Anthony's crosses plural

Morphology

St. + Anthony's + cross

The phrase is a straightforward possessive construction: 'St. Anthony's' (a saint's name/possession) + 'cross' (a cross), so a B1 learner who recognizes the abbreviation 'St.' and the noun 'cross' will readily infer it refers to a cross associated with Saint Anthony. They may not deduce the special tau shape detail without extra cultural knowledge, but the basic meaning (a type/kind of cross related to St. Anthony) is transparently derived from the parts.

Etymology

St. Anthony's cross is a cross shaped like the letter T and named after the saint St. Anthony. Because people wore or showed this simple T shape to ask for the saint's help, it came to stand for 'protection' and 'faith'.