English Dictionary

CRUCIFIX

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does crucifix mean? 

CRUCIFIX (noun)
  The noun CRUCIFIX has 2 senses:

1. representation of the cross on which Jesus diedplay

2. a gymnastic exercise performed on the rings when the gymnast supports himself with both arms extended horizontallyplay

  Familiarity information: CRUCIFIX used as a noun is rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


CRUCIFIX (noun)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Representation of the cross on which Jesus died

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

crucifix; rood; rood-tree

Hypernyms ("crucifix" is a kind of...):

Cross (a representation of the structure on which Jesus was crucified; used as an emblem of Christianity or in heraldry)

Derivation:

crucify (kill by nailing onto a cross)


Sense 2

Meaning:

A gymnastic exercise performed on the rings when the gymnast supports himself with both arms extended horizontally

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("crucifix" is a kind of...):

gymnastic exercise ((gymnastics) an exercise designed to develop and display strength and agility and balance (usually performed with or on some gymnastic apparatus))


 Context examples 


Here he held up the little golden crucifix.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

There was lay-sister Agatha with the high gold crucifix, and the three incense-bearers, and the two-and-twenty garbed in white, who cast flowers upon either side of them and sang sweetly the while.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Walrus ivory was a valuable medieval commodity, used to carve luxury items such as ornate crucifixes or pieces for games like chess and Viking favourite hnefatafl.

(Over-hunting walruses contributed to the collapse of Norse Greenland, University of Cambridge)

Ornate items including crucifixes and chess pieces were fashioned from walrus ivory by craftsmen of the age.

(Lost Norse of Greenland fuelled the medieval ivory trade, ancient walrus DNA suggests, University of Cambridge)

However, a malicious rogue of a skipper went to an officer, and pointing to me, told him, I had not yet trampled on the crucifix; but the other, who had received instructions to let me pass, gave the rascal twenty strokes on the shoulders with a bamboo; after which I was no more troubled with such questions.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

There were the two watchmen, sure enough: red-cap on his back, as stiff as a handspike, with his arms stretched out like those of a crucifix and his teeth showing through his open lips; Israel Hands propped against the bulwarks, his chin on his chest, his hands lying open before him on the deck, his face as white, under its tan, as a tallow candle.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

There was something ascetic in her look, which was augmented by the extreme plainness of a straight-skirted, black, stuff dress, a starched linen collar, hair combed away from the temples, and the nun-like ornament of a string of ebony beads and a crucifix.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Between the inner hand and the wood was a crucifix, the set of beads on which it was fastened being around both wrists and wheel, and all kept fast by the binding cords.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

There was brother Bartholomew with a crucifix of rare carved ivory, and brother Luke with a white-backed psalter adorned with golden bees, and brother Francis with the Slaying of the Innocents most daintily set forth upon vellum.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

To this I added another petition, that for the sake of my patron the king of Luggnagg, his majesty would condescend to excuse my performing the ceremony imposed on my countrymen, of trampling upon the crucifix: because I had been thrown into his kingdom by my misfortunes, without any intention of trading.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Knowledge is power." (English proverb)

"Wait for the night before saying that the day has been beautiful" (Breton proverb)

"One hand won't clap." (Armenian proverb)

"Theory dominates practice." (Corsican proverb)



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