cross-section
UK: /ˈkrɒsˌsek.ʃən/ | US: /ˈkrɑːsˌsek.ʃən/
n. a surface or shape exposed by making a straight cut through something, especially at right angles to an axis
n. a representative sample or profile of a broader group or phenomenon
The word "cross-section" combines "cross" (from Old English "cros," meaning "across" or "transverse") and "section" (from Latin "sectio," meaning "a cutting"). The term emerged in the 18th century to describe a cut made perpendicular to an object's axis, revealing its internal structure. Over time, it gained a figurative sense, representing a diverse but representative sample of a larger group (e.g., "a cross-section of society").
The diagram shows a cross-section of the human heart.
The survey included a cross-section of age groups and professions.
Geologists study rock cross-sections to understand Earth's layers.
The cross-section of the bridge revealed its steel reinforcement.
Her research analyzed a cross-section of urban and rural populations.