Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1788, 1996
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CROSS-FIT, n. comb. Pl. -fits, -feet. The starfish, Asterias vulgaris (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 33, Abd.27 1947; Ags. 1927 (per Ags.1). Cf. Krossick.ne.Sc. 1788 Aberdeen Mag. 430:
The star-fish (what they call the cross-feet), who form one of the greatest grievances they labour under along the whole coast, devouring their bait in such an extraordinary manner.Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web 89:
She didna sweem well, Miss De Magistris, aa lab-sidit, wi ill-setten swypin strokes. Aneth her, fur yairds an yairds, fush reenged the sea; cross-fits an ink-fush dauchled, sea-paps gappit their moos. Noo Zeffirino's een fand sea-rigs tae fair dumfouner him.
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"Cross-fit n. comb.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/crossfit>
