Crucify Definition

kro͝osə-fī

crucified, crucifies, crucifying

verb

crucified, crucifies, crucifying

To put to death by nailing or binding to a cross and leaving to die of exposure.

Webster's New World

To mortify (the flesh) as by asceticism.

Webster's New World

To be very cruel to; torment.

Webster's New World

To criticize harshly; pillory.

The media crucified the politician for breaking a campaign pledge.

American Heritage

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.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Crucify

Middle English crucifien from Old French crucifier alteration of Latin crucifīgere crux cruc- cross fīgere to attach dhīgw- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Old French crucefier, from Latin crucifigo.

From Wiktionary