It may not have come into use until the 2nd or 3rd century. Term. During the Renaissance the ideal church plan tended to be… LATIN CROSS. A plain cross in which the vertical part below the horizontal is longer than the other three parts. The simplest and most common cross symbol used in Christianity is the Latin cross. fork-shaped yoke or gibbet (for criminals) 6th century, Venantius Fortunatus, Vexilla regis, first stanza: Vexilla regis prodeunt Fulget crucis mysterium Quo carne carnis conditor, Suspensus est patibulo. ‘The Latin crosses in one of the crossbands are the only other indication that this sampler was worked at a Catholic school.’ ‘The site was then sealed and a large Latin cross was erected above it.’ ‘Its clergy rejected Wren's daring central design and got a boring Latin cross instead.’ Cross definition is - a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution. See more. Most people chose this as the best definition of latin-cross: A cross with a shorter ho... See the dictionary meaning, pronunciation, and sentence examples. A cross with the vertical bar substantially longer than the horizontal bar. noun. Latin cross definition, an upright or vertical bar crossed near the top by a shorter horizontal bar. Often found in conjunction with the ankh, the Greek cross predates the latin cross and was not intended to represent the cross of the crucifixion, but instead, the four directions of the earth, representing the spread of the gospel, and the four platonic elements. Latin cross definition: a cross the lowest arm of which is longer than the other three | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Latin cross Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Wikipedia. How to use cross in a sentence. They symbol referred to as the Cross of the West. Other articles where Latin cross is discussed: Western architecture: Early Renaissance in Italy (1401–95): …for medieval churches was the Latin cross plan, as at San Lorenzo; the longer arm of the cross formed the nave of the church. Definition. The Greek cross is a very early form of the Christian cross. The shape of a true Latin cross, when folded, creates a cube, an ancient symbol of earthly authority. Latin cross. Latin cross. A cross which has an upright much longer than the crossbeam; three arms are the same length, and the fourth lower arm is much longer. Definition of Latin cross in English: Latin cross. The most well known cross is the Latin cross, which to Christians, represents the cross of Christ’s crucifixion.When shown with the image of Christ, it is called a crucifix.. During the Middle Ages this plan was considered a symbolic reference to the cross of Christ. The Greek cross was a popular floor plan for eastern churches at one time.