Christcross-row

• Christ-cross-row, Chris-cross-row

Either from the cross usually set before it, or from a superstitious custom of writing it in the form of a cross, by way of a charm. See crossrow.

Christcross-row (plural not attested)

1. (obsolete) The alphabet.
   • 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion:

     From infant conning of the Christ-cross-row

   • 1897, Stanley John Weyman, chapter I, in Shrewsbury:

     For though I never attained to the outward flower of scholarship by proceeding to the learned degree of arts at either of the Universities, I gained the root and kernel of the matter at Bishop's Stortford, being able at the age of fourteen to write a fine hand, and read Eutropius, and Cæsar, and teach the horn-book and Christ-Cross to younger boys.

• “Christcross-row”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.