cross question vs cross-question

cross question is not a noun while cross-question is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
cross question	No	No	Yes	No
cross-question	Yes	No	No	No

cross question (noun)	cross-question (noun)
	a question asked in cross-examination

cross question (verb)	cross-question (verb)
question closely, or question a witness that has already been questioned by the opposing side