Third person singular present tense of 'crucify'; to execute someone by nailing or binding them to a cross, or metaphorically, to cause extreme suffering or humiliation.
From Latin 'crucifigere' (to fasten to a cross), composed of 'crux' (cross) and 'figere' (to fasten). The metaphorical meaning developed during medieval times when the term was applied to spiritual suffering.
The metaphorical use of 'crucify'—like 'the critics crucified his performance'—is so common that we almost forget it originally meant an actual execution method, yet this image of extreme punishment has remained powerful enough to describe any severe public humiliation or suffering.
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