crucifixion

C2 Topic:People & Society

US /ˌkɹuː.səˈfɪk.ʃən/ UK /ˌkruː.sɪˈfɪk.ʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #24322

Meanings

1

noun
execution by fastening a person to a cross or upright structure and leaving them to die

Roman authorities used crucifixion as a public and degrading punishment.
2

noun
the Crucifixion of Jesus, or an artistic representation of that event

The altarpiece contains a Crucifixion painted against a dark gold ground.
3

noun
figurative: extreme suffering, torment, or humiliation

Every forced smile felt like a private crucifixion.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · execution by fastening a... execution on a cross

2 noun · the crucifixion of jesus,... Crucifixion of Christcross scene

3 noun · figurative: extreme... torment agony ordeal

Word family

Derived forms crucifixionalrecrucifixion

Related forms crucify crucifix cross Passion

Etymology

From Middle English crucifixioun through Late Latin crucifixio, from crucifixus, 'fixed to a cross,' combining crux, 'cross,' with figere, 'to fasten.' Christian usage made the Crucifixion a proper name for Jesus's death and for images depicting it; figurative use denotes severe torment.

Topics

People & Society Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# crucifixion

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌkɹuː.səˈfɪk.ʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌkruː.sɪˈfɪk.ʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 24322

## Meanings
1. execution by fastening a person to a cross or upright structure and leaving them to die
2. the Crucifixion of Jesus, or an artistic representation of that event
3. figurative: extreme suffering, torment, or humiliation

## Examples
- Roman authorities used crucifixion as a public and degrading punishment.
- The altarpiece contains a Crucifixion painted against a dark gold ground.
- Every forced smile felt like a private crucifixion.

## Synonyms
- execution on a cross
- torment
- agony
- ordeal

## Derived Forms
- crucifixional
- recrucifixion

## Related Forms
- crucify
- crucifix
- cross
- Passion

## Etymology
From Middle English crucifixioun through Late Latin crucifixio, from crucifixus, 'fixed to a cross,' combining crux, 'cross,' with figere, 'to fasten.' Christian usage made the Crucifixion a proper name for Jesus's death and for images depicting it; figurative use denotes severe torment.

## Topics
- People & Society
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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