Cross-cutting
/ˈkrɔːsˌkʌtɪŋ/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Cross-cutting means something that goes across or connects different parts, topics, or groups. It usually refers to an issue, idea, or factor that is important in many different areas, not just one. For example, a cross-cutting problem could affect different countries, industries, or social groups together.
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⚡ See It in Action
Affecting or involving many different groups, areas, or topics
- •Poverty is a cross-cutting issue that affects education, health, and employment.
- •Gender equality is a cross-cutting theme in many government policies.
- •Environmental concerns are cross-cutting because they impact economy, society, and politics.
(In film) A technique of editing that shows different scenes happening at the same time
- •The director used cross-cutting to build suspense between two characters.
- •Cross-cutting helps the audience understand parallel actions in a movie.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "cross-cutting" like "connecting," but it connects many different things instead of just two
- ✓Picture a big spider web where one thread crosses many parts of the web, linking different points together
- ✓It's like when a problem or idea touches many parts of your life at once, not just one small area
- ✓Sounds like "cross-cutting" → imagine scissors cutting across many pieces of paper at the same time, joining them all
- ✓In movies, "cross-cutting" is a film technique that shows scenes from different places happening at once, connecting stories
- ✓NOT like "cutting" alone (which means to separate), cross-cutting means going across and linking different things
- ✓NOT like "single-topic" (only about one thing), cross-cutting involves many topics or groups at the same time
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Intersecting: crossing or meeting at one point (Use when emphasizing physical or logical crossing)
- •Overlapping: covering some of the same area or topics (Use when parts share common elements)
- •Linking: joining together (Use when focusing on making connections between things)
- •Multi-sectoral: involving many sectors or areas (Use in formal contexts about different fields or industries)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "cross" (to go across) + "cutting" (from the verb "cut," meaning to divide or separate)
- •Etymology: English origin, combining "cross" meaning across and "cutting" meaning making a cut or division
- •Historical development: Originally used in film editing to describe cutting between scenes; later used in social sciences and policy to describe issues that go across many areas
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in politics, social sciences, business, and film to describe things that affect or connect many different parts or groups
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How can understanding cross-cutting issues help solve complex problems in society?
•Can you think of a cross-cutting theme in your own life that connects different areas like school, family, or hobbies?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.Poverty is a cross-cutting issue because it ___ many areas like health, education, and work.
2.The director used cross-cutting to show two scenes ___ at the same time.
3.Cross-cutting themes often require ___ from different groups to find solutions.
4.Unlike a single-topic problem, a cross-cutting issue ___ many different groups or sectors.
5.Cross-cutting problems are often ___ because they affect many parts of society.
6.Policies that are cross-cutting need to ___ many different areas to be effective.
7.Cross-cutting in film helps the audience ___ what is happening in different places at once.