verb
crucify
KROO-sih-fye/ˈkruːsɪfaɪ/
To execute people by fastening them to a cross.
The guards crucify a prisoner by fastening the prisoner to a cross.
Etymology
The roots mean 'fasten to a cross.' That fastening was a method of execution, so the English verb names killing by this means, not simply attaching something.
In context
Jews didn't crucify Jesus Romans crucified Jesus and Romans had a policy of leaving crucified victims on their crosses
More examples
- Roman authorities sometimes crucified people convicted of serious crimes.
- The account describes soldiers crucifying two prisoners outside the city.
- Christians believe Jesus was crucified and later rose from the dead.
Forms
crucify · crucifies · crucified · crucifying
crucifixion noun — Execution by fastening someone to a cross.
Similar words
- execute
- Means putting someone to death, without specifying the method.