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crossfall

crossfall

8.6
A slight slope across a road that drains water away
  • noun
  • /ˈkrɔsˌfɔl/
  • UK
translation icon : pendiente transversal
  • Engineers designed the new pavement with a crossfall to prevent flooding during storms.

Examples

  • The crossfall helps prevent water from pooling on the road.

  • The crossfall of the new highway ensures rainwater does not collect on the surface.

  • Engineers measured the crossfall to confirm the road met safety standards.

  • Proper crossfall is essential to prevent water from pooling and causing accidents.

  • Proper crossfall design is essential for road safety.

  • The road's crossfall allows rainwater to drain efficiently into the gutters.

  • During construction, they measured the crossfall to ensure proper drainage of the surface.

Antonyms

797 1.0

Level and even without parts higher or lower

How Steep

crossfall
  • UK
8.6
flat
797 1.0

Surface Forms

crossfall singular
crossfalls plural

Morphology

crossfall = cross + fall (transparent) = cross + fall

The meaning is a straightforward combination of 'cross' (across/sideways) + 'fall' (slope), yielding a sideways slope; although technical, the composition is clear.

Etymology

The word crossfall comes from cross (meaning 'across' or 'sideways') and fall (meaning 'to drop'). Think of a small 'sideways drop' in a road that makes rainwater run off, so a crossfall is the slope that drains water from the surface.