Chilli Monster,
Unless you're using it towards the qualifications for the grant of a rating (14 CFR part 61.1(b)(3))
Indeed, 61.1 (b)(3)(ii)(b), but that does not define cross country time.
61.1 (b)(3)(i)(C) defines cross country time as ..... time acquired during a flight..... that includes a landing at a point other than the point of departure.
The definition itself has nowt to do with distance (or IMC). I wonder if you departed from runway 22L, flew the pattern, and landed on 22R you could call that landing at a different point from departure point and log it as such? I guess you can log what you want, and people can laugh at you when they like, Trivia city!
BEagle, there are inacuracies because the regulations appear to be unclear and permit ridiculous flying behaviour. That's not safe.