crucifer

[ kroo-suh-fer ]

/ ˈkru sə fər /

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noun

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

Botany. a cruciferous plant.

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Origin of crucifer

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

Words nearby crucifer

crucian carp, cruciate, cruciate ligament, crucible, crucible steel, crucifer, cruciferous, crucifix, crucifixion, crucifixion thorn, cruciform

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use crucifer in a sentence

On the second day of arguments, Scalia did indeed invoke the humble crucifer.
Did Scalia Parrot Fox News During Health-Care Arguments?|Matthew DeLuca|April 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This little Crucifer, now used as a salad, was valued in ancient times for certain properties of the seeds.
Origin of Cultivated Plants|Alphonse De Candolle
Our first species is the well-known Wallflower (Cheiranthus cheiri), of the order Crucifer.
Field and Woodland Plants|William S. Furneaux
Crucifer—Herbs with alternate, exstipulate leaves, and regular flowers.
The Sea Shore|William S. Furneaux

A few new species of Crucifer and Astragalus were obtained on the ridge.
Western Himalaya and Tibet|Thomas Thomson
The flower and stamens and pistil of the Sea-kale, to illustrate the Crucifer.
Botany for Ladies|Jane Loudon

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 of crucifer

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

Scientific 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.