crucifer

[ kroo-suh-fer ]

/ ˈkru sə fər /

noun

a person who carries a cross, as in ecclesiastical processions.

Botany. a cruciferous plant.

Nearby words

cruciate ligament, cruciate ligament of knee, cruciate muscle, crucible, crucible steel, crucifer, cruciferous, crucifix, crucifixion, crucifixion thorn, cruciform

Origin of crucifer

1565–75; < Late Latin, equivalent to Latin cruci- (stem of crux) cross + -fer -fer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for crucifer

Crucifer—Herbs with alternate, exstipulate leaves, and regular flowers.
The Sea Shore|William S. Furneaux
What fees were bestowed on his crucifer, marshall, and other servants.
Bibliomania; or Book-Madness|Thomas Frognall Dibdin
The flower and stamens and pistil of the Sea-kale, to illustrate the Crucifer.
Botany for Ladies|Jane Loudon
It lives in groups on the cabbages in gardens, and on many other Crucifer.
The Insect World|Louis Figuier

When reared in captivity it will thrive on other kinds of Crucifer.
The Moths of the British Isles, Second Series|Richard South

British Dictionary definitions for crucifer

crucifer

/ (ˈkruːsɪfə) /

noun

any plant of the family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae), having a corolla of four petals arranged like a cross and a fruit called a siliqua. The family includes the brassicas, mustard, cress, and wallflower

a person who carries a cross

Derived Forms

cruciferous (kruːˈsɪfərəs), adjective

Word Origin for crucifer

C16: from Late Latin, from Latin crux cross + ferre to carry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for crucifer

crucifer

[ krōō′sə-fər ]

Any of various plants in the mustard family (Cruciferae or Brassicaceae), including many important food plants, such as bok choy, cabbage, and radishes, as well as certain ornamental flowers.