tr.v. cru·ci·fied, cru·ci·fy·ing, cru·ci·fies 1. To put (a person) to death by nailing or binding to a cross. 2. To mortify or subdue (the flesh). 3. To treat cruelly; torment: crucified the awkward child with teasing. 4. To criticize harshly; pillory: The media crucified the politician for breaking a campaign pledge. [Middle English crucifien, from Old French crucifier, alteration of Latin crucifīgere : crux, cruc-, cross + fīgere, to attach; see dhīgw- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] cruci·fi′er n. |
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