A thin intersecting pair of lines (usually forming a plus sign or crosshair symbol) used in rifle scopes, microscopes, or computer interfaces to help aim or locate a target point.
From 'cross' (two intersecting lines) and 'hair' (the fine wires or lines used, originally made from actual hair or spider silk in early optical instruments). This term developed in the 1800s as rifle scopes became more sophisticated.
Early microscope and telescope makers actually used strands of hair or spider silk to create crosshairs because they were thin, strong, and visible—modern versions are etched onto glass, but we still call them 'hairs' because of this tradition!
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