A small peg or projection that crosses something, or in architecture, a corner stone that projects outward; also a type of firework that produces a sharp cracking sound.
From French 'crossette' (small cross), diminutive of 'crosse', derived from Latin 'crocia' (cross or curved object), with the French diminutive suffix '-ette' indicating smallness.
The same word 'crossette' describes both a tiny architectural detail AND a type of explosive firework—this shows how French loves using '-ette' for diminutives, and how English borrows these words even when they describe completely unrelated things.
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