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Glite Dictionary
cross wire

cross wire

7.7
Thin crossed lines in devices like a telescope or microscope that help you aim
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : cruz de alambre
  • The telescope's cross wire helped the astronomer center the star in her field of view.

Examples

  • Through the microscope, the specimen was carefully positioned at the intersection of the cross wire.

  • He adjusted the cross wire so that it perfectly aligned with the reference point.

  • The cross wire is essential for precise measurements.

  • Can you see the cross wires in the microscope?

  • He adjusted the cross wire so that it perfectly aligned with the reference point.

  • The telescope's cross wire helped the astronomer center the star in her field of view.

  • Through the microscope, the specimen was carefully positioned at the intersection of the cross wire.

Synonyms

crosshair
vscross wire
11 4.1

A small set of lines on a sight or screen that shows the exact point to aim at

is about actual thin wires placed in the focus plane for aiming
cross hair
vscross wire
  • Specialized
5.5

Fine crossing lines in a sight or microscope used to aim

refers specifically to thin physical wires rather than only drawn marks
crosshairs
vscross wire
4.4

Thin lines in a scope or camera view that show where you aim

is the physical wired or focused-plane instrument element, not just screen graphics

Surface Forms

cross wire singular
cross wires plural

Morphology

cross + wire

The meaning is directly and compositionally derivable from 'cross' (intersecting lines) + 'wire' (a thin strand): a wire that forms or is part of a crossing/reticle of intersecting wires. While the term is used in a technical optical context, its sense is transparent and predictable from the constituents, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Cross wire is the name for two thin wires that cross and form a small plus sign inside a telescope or microscope. They mark the center used to 'aim' or 'focus' the view, so the term means the fine wires that help point and line up the instrument.