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Synonyms

crucifix

American  
[kroo-suh-fiks] / ˈkru sə fɪks /

noun

  • crucifixes
    plural
  1. a cross with the figure of Jesus crucified upon it.

  2. any cross.

  3. Gymnastics. a stunt performed on the parallel rings in which the athlete holds their body rigid with their legs vertically extended together and their arms extended horizontally from the shoulders.


crucifix British  
/ ˈkruːsɪfɪks /

noun

  1. a cross or image of a cross with a figure of Christ upon it

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of crucifix

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Late Latin crucifīxus “the crucified one” (i.e., Christ), noun use of masculine of past participle of Latin crucifīgere “to crucify; ” see fix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Instead, the wows come from good stagings of ordinary action: a car crash, a gripped crucifix, a hideout crowded with jostling, thrumming musical instruments.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 10, 2026

The crucifix and Elgin watch conjured Sunday mornings and the quiet pride of women who never stepped outside without dignity.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 5, 2025

A relative placed a crucifix on the chest of Alanis García.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 28, 2025

Someone knelt down and clipped a microphone to her lapel, a few inches from the crucifix that dangled from her neck.

From Slate Jun. 25, 2025

"Please, please, Señorita Sandi, you must release him," Milagros pleaded, taking my drawing off the wall where she'd hung it beside a crucifix.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Both hospice and inspiration, it’s a stifling place decorated with floral wallpaper and crucifixes.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 11, 2026

In a video that Dr. Tedros posted to social media, a member of the medical mission stands inside the chapel, with injured people and crucifixes on the wall visible behind him.

From New York Times Dec. 21, 2023

But thanks in large part to a memorable head-swiveling cinematic character, Roman collars and crucifixes have long cornered a unique place in the American image of exorcism.

From Salon Oct. 8, 2023

In the middle of a forest not far from Kenya's coast, piles of fresh earth topped with crucifixes await the attention of forensic experts.

From BBC Apr. 24, 2023

The shadows of the goal posts definitely resembled a network of crosses, empty crucifixes.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

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