Die woordeboekbetekenis van die woord "gekruiste bene" is 'n voorstelling van twee gekruiste bene, dikwels uitgebeeld onder 'n skedel, wat gebruik word as 'n simbool van gevaar of dood. Die term "kruisbene" word ook soms gebruik om na die bene self te verwys, veral die bene van die voorarm of onderbeen.
1. A giant black banner with a skull and crossbones in the center had been spread across the front of the building.
2. Black circles with skull and crossbones were areas to be avoided, where rival groups had set up camp or where pockets of infection remained.
3. At the top level of the stairwell, he scratched a large skull and crossbones into the stone with his knife, warning others never to approach this cursed place again.