crucify

From Middle English crucifien, from Old French crucefier, from Late Latin crucificō, from Latin crucifigō.

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɹuːsɪfaɪ/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aɪ

crucify (third-person singular simple present crucifies, present participle crucifying, simple past and past participle crucified) (transitive)

1. To execute (a person) by nailing to a cross.
2. (hyperbolic) To punish or otherwise express extreme anger at, especially as a scapegoat or target of outrage.

   After his public gaffe, he was crucified in the media.

   • 1896 July 9, William Jennings Bryan, Cross of Gold speech:

     Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.

   • 1992, Tori Amos, “Crucify”:

     I crucify myself, nothing I do is good enough for you / I crucify myself every day

3. (hyperbolic, informal, sports) To thoroughly beat at a sport or game.

   West Ham beat Manchester City five nil–they crucified them!

• cross
• crucifix
• crucifixion
• crucifixional
• crux