A 'crossed' animal (5)
I believe the answer is:
zebra
'animal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for zebra that I've seen before include "Striped equine animal" , "Wild animal like striped white horse" , "Striped quadruped" , "Striped horse-like animal" , "Black and white striped animal" .)