crucifix
/ˈkɹuː.sɪˌfɪks/ noun
Forms crucifixes
- noun A wooden structure used for crucifixions, as by the Romans.
- noun An ornamental or symbolic sculptural representation of Christ on a cross, often worn as a pendant or displayed in a Christian church. “Plain crosses are preferred by Protestants, but crucifixes by Catholics.”
- noun (gymnastics) The iron cross, a position on the rings where the gymnast holds the rings straight out on either side of the body.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English crucifix, from Old French crocefis (French crucifix), from Latin crucifixus.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A representation in art of the figure of Christ upon the cross; esp., the sculptured figure affixed to a real cross of wood, ivory, metal, or the like, used by the Roman Catholics in their devotions.
- noun The cross or religion of Christ. [R.] Jer. Taylor.
Etymology [F. crucifix or LL. crucifixum, fr. L. crux, crucis, cross + figere, fixum, to fix. See Cross, and Fix, and cf. Crucify.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “crucifix”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details