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Crusades
2 dictionary results for: Crusades
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cru·sade       (krōō-sād')  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. often Crusade Any of the military expeditions undertaken by European Christians in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims.
  2. A holy war undertaken with papal sanction.
  3. A vigorous concerted movement for a cause or against an abuse. See Synonyms at campaign.

intr.v.   cru·sad·ed, cru·sad·ing, cru·sades
To engage in a crusade.


[French croisade and Spanish cruzada, both ultimately from Latin crux, cruc-, cross.]

cru·sad'er n.
American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
Crusades

A series of wars fought from the late eleventh through the thirteenth centuries, in which European kings and warriors set out to gain control of the lands in which Jesus lived, known as the Holy Land. At that time, these areas were held by Muslims. The Crusaders conquered Jerusalem in 1099 but failed to secure the Holy Land, and they were driven out by the late thirteenth century. Nevertheless, the Crusades had several lasting results, including the exposure of Europeans to the goods, technology, and customs of Asia.

Note: The Crusades left a legacy of bitterness against Europeans and Christians among Muslims.

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