Meaning & use
tau cross
Last updated
UK/ˈtɔː ˌkrɒs/
US/ˈtaʊ ˌkrɔːs/
Meaning
nouncountablereligion
A cross shaped like the capital letter T, with no extension above the crossbar.
Grammar: Countable: a tau cross; sometimes called a Saint Anthony's cross.
Patterns
- a tau cross made of something
The monk wore a small wooden tau cross around his neck.
A tau cross was carved above the door of the old chapel.
The Franciscans adopted the tau cross as a sign of their order.
Word forms
| plural | tau crosses |
|---|
Common combinations
- wooden tau cross
- A wooden tau cross hung on the wall.
- wear a tau cross
- Many friars wear a tau cross.
- carved tau cross
- A carved tau cross marked the grave.
- symbol of the tau cross
- The symbol of the tau cross appears in church windows.
Synonyms and how they differ
- Saint Anthony's cross
- This is a religious name for the same shape, tied to Saint Anthony.
- T-cross
- T-cross is a plain descriptive name for the shape without religious meaning.
Word family
Commonly confused: tau cross or Latin cross?
tau cross vs Latin cross
A Latin cross has a longer upright with the crossbar lower, and it extends above the bar; a tau cross does not.
Practice
What does a tau cross look like?
Choose one answer.
The tau cross is T-shaped. The plus sign is a Greek cross, the X is a saltire, and the looped cross is an ankh.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tau cross”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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