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crucify

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(kro̵̅o̅′sə fī′)

to put to death by nailing or binding to a cross and leaving to die of exposure
to mortify (the flesh) as by asceticism
to be very cruel to; torment

Origin: ME crucifien < OFr crucifier < VL *crucificare < LL(Ec) crucifigere < L crux, cross + figere: see fix

Related Forms:

crucifier noun

See crucify in American Heritage Dictionary 4

cru·ci·fy

transitive verb crucified cru·ci·fied, crucifying cru·ci·fy·ing, cru·ci·fies

To put (a person) to death by nailing or binding to a cross.
To mortify or subdue (the flesh).
To treat cruelly; torment: crucified the awkward child with teasing.
To criticize harshly; pillory: The media crucified the politician for breaking a campaign pledge.

Origin: Middle English crucifien, from Old French crucifier, alteration of Latin crucifīgere : crux, cruc-, cross + fīgere, to attach; see dhīg^w- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms: