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# crucify

verb (crucify, crucifies, crucified, crucifying)

«crucify» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To kill someone by nailing or tying them to a cross and leaving them to die — a cruel punishment used in ancient times, especially by the Romans. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#m1)
2. (Bible, church) Used of Jesus: Christians believe Jesus was crucified and rose again on the third day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#m2)
3. (informal) To criticise someone very harshly or punish them badly: «The newspapers crucified the manager.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#m3)
4. (informal, sport) To beat someone very heavily. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#m4)

### In the lessons

In religious education and church life: the Gospels tell how Jesus was crucified; Good Friday remembers his death, Easter his rising. In history: the Romans crucified rebels and slaves. In everyday informal talk: «My mum will crucify me if I'm late!» means she will be very angry (an exaggeration). Phrases: «was crucified», «crucified under Pontius Pilate», «crucify someone for something».

### Examples

- The Romans crucified criminals as a warning to others. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#x1)
- Christians believe Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and rose again on Easter Sunday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#x2)
- The creed says he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#x3)
- Two thieves were crucified beside Jesus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#x4)
- Mum will crucify me if I lose another coat! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#x5)
- The critics crucified the new film. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#x6)
- We got crucified six–nil in the final. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/#x7)

### Note

Irregular spelling: y changes to i before -es and -ed: crucifies, crucified; but «crucifying». Nouns: «crucifixion» (the act), «crucifix» (a cross with the figure of Jesus on it). Talk about the religious meaning respectfully. The informal sense is an exaggeration, not a real threat.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «crucify» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crucify/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«crucify» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/crucify.html) on Mova free.