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crusade

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The definition of a crusade is an effort or movement against abuse, particularly the Crusades which were military expeditions by European Christians in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries to get back land the Holy Land from the Muslims.

(noun)

An example of a crusade is a rebellion against an evil leader.

To crusade is defined as to rebel against an unfair practice.

(verb)

An example of to crusade is to fight for equal rights for women.

See crusade in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any of the military expeditions which Christians undertook from the 11th to the end of the 13th cent. to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims
a vigorous, concerted action for some cause or idea, or against some abuse

Origin: < Sp cruzada, altered after Fr croisade, both < ML cruciata < pp. of cruciare, to mark with a cross < L crux, cross

intransitive verb crusaded, crusading

to engage in a crusade

Related Forms:

crusader noun

See crusade in American Heritage Dictionary 4

cru·sade

noun

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.
A holy war undertaken with papal sanction.
A vigorous concerted movement for a cause or against an abuse. See Synonyms at campaign.

intransitive verb crusaded cru·sad·ed, crusading cru·sad·ing, cru·sades

To engage in a crusade.

Origin: French croisade and Spanish cruzada, both ultimately from Latin crux, cruc-, cross.

Related Forms: