crossfire — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An arrangement of two or more weapons so each can fire diagonally at something in front of a line between them.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. The danger to a third party passing between two belligerents firing at one another.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The two factions were either side of the road. A civilian lorry was caught in the crossfire and became collateral damage

3. The danger to a third party passing between a gunman and his target.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   A woman who was caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting in north London on Tuesday evening was not the intended target, police have said.

4. A heated confrontation between opposing factions.

   Usage

   • broadly
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. a lively or heated interchange of ideas and opinions

   Broader terms

   conversation

2. fire from two or more points so that the lines of fire cross

   Broader terms

   firefiring