cross-refer vs cite

cross-refer is not a noun while cite is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
cross-refer	No	No	Yes	No
cite	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, cite is a hypernym of cross-refer; that is, cite is a word with a broader meaning than cross-refer:

cross-refer: refer from one entry to another, as in catalogues, books, and lists
cite: make reference to

Other hypernyms of cross-refer include advert, bring up, mention, name, refer.

cross-refer (noun)	cite (noun)
	a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage

cross-refer (verb)	cite (verb)
refer from one entry to another, as in catalogues, books, and lists	make reference to
	commend
	repeat a passage from
	refer to for illustration or proof
	advance evidence for
	call in an official matter, such as to attend court
	refer to