cross-section

/ˈkrɒs sekʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkrɔːs sekʃn/ (ame, ipa)

cross-section — noun

1. the inside of something — its layers, chambers, or hidden parts — revealed when

1.名詞B2
釋義

the inside of something — its layers, chambers, or hidden parts — revealed when it is cut through from top to bottom, often shown in a detailed drawing or diagram

例句

Aarav studied the cross-section of the old oak trunk and counted thirty-seven rings.

cross-section of + object for examining layers inside

Beatriz sketched a cross-section of the old theatre, showing how the balcony hung above the main stalls.

同義詞
  • cutaway

    more technical; used mainly for diagrams showing internal parts of machines

  • profile

    focuses on the outline rather than the internal layers

  • slice

    informal; suggests a thin piece rather than a view of structure

文法句型

cross-section of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in science, engineering, and technical drawing. The hyphenated spelling cross-section is standard in British English; American English often writes cross section as two words.

2. a small selection of people or items that includes every different kind found in

2.名詞B2
釋義

a small selection of people or items that includes every different kind found in the much larger group they come from

例句

The team interviewed a cross-section of families — pensioners, single mothers, and new arrivals — from every ward in Osaka.

cross-section of + group noun for a representative mix

Dario invited a cross-section of students to join the panel, not just the top scorers.

同義詞
  • sample

    more common and general; does not always imply deliberate diversity

  • snapshot

    emphasises a moment in time; less about representativeness

  • segment

    focuses on one part rather than a balanced mix

  • slice

    informal; often used in journalism for a brief look at a group

文法句型

cross-section of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Object is typically a large, diverse group — society, the population, a community. Rarely used for very small or uniform groups.

常見錯誤

The team is a cross-section of talented engineers.
The team includes a cross-section of engineers, designers, and project managers.
💡cross-section implies variety across types, not just any group of people.

3. the flat face that appears when you cut straight across something at a right ang

3.名詞C1
釋義

the flat face that appears when you cut straight across something at a right angle to its length, or the act of cutting this way — used in geometry and engineering to describe the shape of the cut surface

例句

The engineer cut a cross-section through the steel pipe to measure the thickness of the wall.

cut a cross-section through + object

In geometry, Aoi drew a cross-section of a cone to show how an ellipse is formed.

同義詞
  • transverse section

    technical synonym used mainly in anatomy and engineering

  • crosscut

    emphasises the cutting action; common in woodworking

反義詞

文法句型

cross-section of + noun phrase

in cross-section

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (INSIDE VIEW): this sense is about the cut itself or the flat face it produces, not the view of internal structure. Common in geometry and engineering.

常見錯誤

The doctor looked at a cross-section of the leg muscle cut lengthways.
The doctor looked at a cross-section of the leg muscle cut at a right angle to the bone.
💡a true cross-section is perpendicular to the main axis, not parallel to it.