crossear

Crossear is a informal or regional Spanish verb used to indicate crossing or combining elements from two sources. It is a calque-like formation from the English word cross, applied with Spanish verb endings, and is more common in Latin American varieties than in formal standard Spanish.

In practical use, crossear commonly refers to crossing biological varieties or strains to produce a hybrid. For example, crossear two maize varieties aims to combine drought tolerance with higher yield. The term can also appear in horticulture, animal breeding, and similar contexts where there is deliberate crossbreeding to achieve desired traits.

Beyond genetics, crossear is sometimes used metaphorically to describe blending or fusing different styles, influences, or sources. A song, design, or project might be described as crosseyendo or crosseando influences from pop and folk or from different cultural traditions, signaling a hybridized result rather than a pure source.

Status and usage notes tend to vary by region and audience. Crossear is not widely established in formal dictionaries and is typically considered colloquial or specialized jargon. In formal writing or standard communication, cruzar or combinar are often preferred, depending on the context. When clarity is important, especially in technical or academic contexts, it is advisable to use cruzar, combinar, or other term with a widely accepted meaning.

See also: cruzar, hibridación, mezcla.