crucify
[ kroo-suh-fahy ]
verb (used with object),cru·ci·fied, cru·ci·fy·ing.
to put to death by nailing or binding the hands and feet to a cross.
to treat with gross injustice; persecute; torment; torture.
to subdue (passion, sin, etc.).
Origin of crucify
1Middle English crucifien<Anglo-French, Old French crucifier<Latin crucifīgere, equivalent to Latin cruci- (stem of crux) cross + fīgere to fix, bind fast
Other words from crucify
- cru·ci·fi·er, noun
- un·cru·ci·fied, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for crucify
crucify
/ (ˈkruːsɪˌfaɪ) /
verb-fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
to put to death by crucifixion
slang to defeat, ridicule, etc, totally: the critics crucified his performance
to treat very cruelly; torment
to subdue (passion, lust, etc); mortify
Origin of crucify
1C13: from Old French crucifier, from Late Latin crucifīgere to crucify, to fasten to a cross, from Latin crux cross + fīgere to fasten
Derived forms of crucify
- crucifier, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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