cross-purposes

See also: cross purposes

English

Noun

cross-purposes

1. plural of cross-purpose

Noun

cross-purposes (uncountable)

1. (dated) A conversational game, in which questions and answers are made so as to involve ludicrous combinations of ideas.
   • 1667 January 5 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Pepys, Mynors Bright, transcriber, “December 26th, 1666”, in Henry B[enjamin] Wheatley, editor, The Diary of Samuel Pepys […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to X), London: George Bell & Sons […]; Cambridge: Deighton Bell & Co., published 1893–1899, →OCLC:

     I danced; and so till 12 at night, and to supper, and then to cross-purposes, mighty merry; and then to bed - my eyes being sore.

Derived terms

• at cross-purposes