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(law) close questioning of a hostile witness in a court of law to discredit or throw a new light on the testimony already provided in direct examination

(law) close questioning of a hostile witness in a court of law to discredit or throw a new light on the testimony already provided in direct examination

At trial, the opportunity to question any witness, including your opponent, who testifies against you on direct examination. The opportunity to cross-examine usually occurs as soon as a witness completes her direct testimony -- often the opposing lawyer or party, or sometimes the judge, signals that it is time to begin cross-examination by saying, "Your witness." Typically, there are two important reasons to engage in cross-examination: to attempt to get the witness to say something helpful to your side, or to cast doubt on (impeach) the witness by getting her to admit something that reduces her credibility -- for example, that her eyesight is so poor that she may not have seen an event clearly.

n. The examination of a witness, called by one party , by the opposite party or his counsel.