crosssection

cross section also cross-sec·tion (krôsʹsĕkʹshən, krŏsʹ-) n.

1.

a. A section formed by a plane cutting through an object, usually at right angles to an axis.

b. A piece so cut or a graphic representation of such a piece.

2. Physics. A measure of the probability that an encounter between particles will result in the occurrence of a particular atomic or nuclear reaction. Also called collision cross section.

3. Statistics. A sample meant to be representative of a whole population.

4. Informal. A variety; a diversity.

  crossʹ-secʹtion·al (krôsʹsĕkʹshə-nəl, krŏsʹ-) adj.

* * *