cruciate

American  

[kroo-shee-it, -eyt] / ˈkru ʃi ɪt, -ˌeɪt /

adjective

1. shaped like a cross; cross-shaped.

2. Botany. having the form of a cross with equal arms, as the flowers of mustard.

3. Entomology. crossing diagonally when at rest, as the wings of certain insects.

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cruciate British  

/ ˈkruːʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt /

adjective

1. shaped or arranged like a cross

   cruciate petals

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noun

1. informal

   1. short for cruciate ligament

   2. ( as modifier )

      cruciate problems

Other Word Forms

• cruciately adverb
• postcruciate adjective

Etymology

Origin of cruciate

1675–85; < New Latin cruciātus, equivalent to Latin cruci- (stem of crux ) cross + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Following tests, Romero is now expected to miss up to eight weeks with a high-grade partial tear of his medial cruciate ligament.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Charlisse Leger-Walker, a transfer from Washington State, spent the year on the sideline recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Kulusevski had surgery on a patella injury sustained last season while Maddison tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle in June.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Vonn, 41, insisted that the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament she suffered in a crash in a World Cup race before the Milan-Cortina Games "had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever".

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

When the doctor opened the knee up he discovered that Boobie had torn the anterior cruciate ligament.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger