What is "to do a thing on the cross"

Cross \Cross\ (kr[o^]s; 115), n. [OE. crois, croys, cros; the former fr. OF. crois, croiz, F. croix, fr. L. crux; the second is perh. directly fr. Prov. cros, crotz. fr. the same L. crux; cf. Icel. kross. Cf. Crucial, Crusade, Cruise, Crux.]

1. A gibbet, consisting of two pieces of timber placed transversely upon one another, in various forms, as a T, or +, with the horizontal piece below the upper end of the upright, or as an X. It was anciently used in the execution of criminals.

   Nailed to the cross By his own nation.
   --Milton.

2. The sign or mark of the cross, made with the finger, or in ink, etc., or actually represented in some material; the symbol of Christ's death; the ensign and chosen symbol of Christianity, of a Christian people, and of Christendom.

   The custom of making the sign of the cross with the hand or finger, as a means of conferring blessing or preserving from evil, is very old.
   --Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

   Before the cross has waned the crescent's ray.
   --Sir W. Scott.

   Tis where the cross is preached.
   --Cowper.

3. Affiction regarded as a test of patience or virtue; trial; disappointment; opposition; misfortune.

   Heaven prepares a good man with crosses.
   --B. Jonson.

4. A piece of money stamped with the figure of a cross, also, that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped; hence, money in general.

   I should bear no cross if I did bear you; for I think you have no money in your purse.
   --Shak.

5. An appendage or ornament or anything in the form of a cross; a badge or ornamental device of the general shape of a cross; hence, such an ornament, even when varying considerably from that form; thus, the Cross of the British Order of St. George and St. Michael consists of a central medallion with seven arms radiating from it.

6. (Arch.) A monument in the form of a cross, or surmounted by a cross, set up in a public place; as, a market cross; a boundary cross; Charing Cross in London.

   Dun-Edin's Cross, a pillared stone, Rose on a turret octagon.
   --Sir W. Scott.

7. (Her.) A common heraldic bearing, of which there are many varieties. See the Illustration, above.

8. The crosslike mark or symbol used instead of a signature by those unable to write.

   Five Kentish abbesses . . . .subscribed their names and crosses.
   --Fuller.

9. Church lands. [Ireland] [Obs.]
   --Sir J. Davies.

10. A line drawn across or through another line.

11. Hence: A mixing of breeds or stock, especially in cattle breeding; or the product of such intermixture; a hybrid of any kind.

    Toning down the ancient Viking into a sort of a cross between Paul Jones and Jeremy Diddler.
    --Lord Dufferin.

12. (Surveying) An instrument for laying of offsets perpendicular to the main course.

13. (Mech.) A pipe-fitting with four branches the axes of which usually form's right angle.

    Cross and pile, a game with money, at which it is put to chance whether a coin shall fall with that side up which bears the cross, or the other, which is called pile, or reverse; the game called heads or tails.

    Cross bottony or

    Cross botton['e]. See under Bottony.

    Cross estoil['e] (Her.). a cross, each of whose arms is pointed like the ray of a star; that is, a star having four long points only.

    Cross of Calvary. See Calvary, 3.

    Southern cross. (Astron.) See under Southern.

    To do a thing on the cross, to act dishonestly; -- opposed to acting on the square. [Slang]

    To take up the cross, to bear troubles and afflictions with patience from love to Christ.