crux

noun

ˈkrəks

ˈkru̇ks

plural cruxes also cruces ˈkrü-ˌsēz How to pronounce crux (audio)

: a puzzling or difficult problem : an unsolved question

The origin of the word is a scholarly crux.

: an essential point requiring resolution or resolving an outcome

: a main or central feature (as of an argument)

… he discarded all but the essential cruxes of his argument.

Carl Van Doren

Did you know?

In Latin, crux referred literally to an instrument of torture, often a cross or stake, and figuratively to the torture and misery inflicted by means of such an instrument. Crux eventually developed the sense of "a puzzling or difficult problem"; that was the first meaning that was used when the word entered English in the early 18th century. Later, in the late 19th century, crux began to be used more specifically to refer to an essential point of a legal case that required resolution before the case as a whole could be resolved. Today, the verdict on crux is that it can be used to refer to any important part of a problem or argument, inside or outside of the courtroom.

Example Sentences

the crux of the problem is that the school's current budget is totally inadequate

Recent Examples on the Web But at the crux of these debates are questions about who is targeted by restrictive laws and policies, who is affected and who is included in the conversation.

Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 4 Sep. 2022 Three-time Grammy award winner Fantastic Negrito headlines this night celebrating the soul at the crux of every genre of music, highlighting the work of Black artists who have always been integral to country; folk; blues; and Americana music.

Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 21 July 2022 The nonprofit at the crux of the city’s efforts to coordinate housing efforts, the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, estimates at least 200 people in Anchorage are already living unsheltered on the streets, in camps and in vehicles.

Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 16 June 2022 Whenever a crime occurs, his colleagues rely on experience to help them with handling the case, but Heizou brings in an out-of-the-box perspective and gets straight to the crux of the case.

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 16 May 2022 What helps smooth this show’s slow race to the crux is the stellar acting from a cast led by Tony winner LaChanze, under the marvelous direction of Charles Randolph-Wright.

Ayanna Prescod, Variety, 18 Nov. 2021 That brings us to the crux of the matter: how voters feel about the Democratic Party platform.

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2021 This gets to the crux of the issue for American policymakers.

Michael A. Cohen, The New Republic, 20 Sep. 2021 And that final point gets to the crux of the matter.

Mark Lamster, Dallas News, 17 June 2021 See More

单词	crux
释义	crux noun ˈkrəks ˈkru̇ks plural cruxes also cruces ˈkrü-ˌsēz 1 : a puzzling or difficult problem : an unsolved question The origin of the word is a scholarly crux. 2 : an essential point requiring resolution or resolving an outcome 3 : a main or central feature (as of an argument) … he discarded all but the essential cruxes of his argument. Carl Van Doren Did you know? In Latin, crux referred literally to an instrument of torture, often a cross or stake, and figuratively to the torture and misery inflicted by means of such an instrument. Crux eventually developed the sense of "a puzzling or difficult problem"; that was the first meaning that was used when the word entered English in the early 18th century. Later, in the late 19th century, crux began to be used more specifically to refer to an essential point of a legal case that required resolution before the case as a whole could be resolved. Today, the verdict on crux is that it can be used to refer to any important part of a problem or argument, inside or outside of the courtroom. Synonyms bottom line bull's-eye centerpiece core essence gist heart kernel keynote meat meat and potatoes net nub nubbin nucleus pith pivot point root sum See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences the crux of the problem is that the school's current budget is totally inadequate Recent Examples on the Web But at the crux of these debates are questions about who is targeted by restrictive laws and policies, who is affected and who is included in the conversation. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 4 Sep. 2022 Three-time Grammy award winner Fantastic Negrito headlines this night celebrating the soul at the crux of every genre of music, highlighting the work of Black artists who have always been integral to country; folk; blues; and Americana music. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 21 July 2022 The nonprofit at the crux of the city’s efforts to coordinate housing efforts, the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, estimates at least 200 people in Anchorage are already living unsheltered on the streets, in camps and in vehicles. Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 16 June 2022 Whenever a crime occurs, his colleagues rely on experience to help them with handling the case, but Heizou brings in an out-of-the-box perspective and gets straight to the crux of the case. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 16 May 2022 What helps smooth this show’s slow race to the crux is the stellar acting from a cast led by Tony winner LaChanze, under the marvelous direction of Charles Randolph-Wright. Ayanna Prescod, Variety, 18 Nov. 2021 That brings us to the crux of the matter: how voters feel about the Democratic Party platform. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2021 This gets to the crux of the issue for American policymakers. Michael A. Cohen, The New Republic, 20 Sep. 2021 And that final point gets to the crux of the matter. Mark Lamster, Dallas News, 17 June 2021 See More Word History Etymology Latin cruc-, crux cross, torture First Known Use 1718, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing crux the crux the crux crux noun as in essence the central part or aspect of something under consideration the crux of the problem is that the school's current budget is totally inadequate Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance essence core root heart point kernel gist nub sum pivot centerpiece nucleus meat bottom line subject keynote net pith theme nubbin sum and substance tenor course bull's-eye substance direction content the long and short the long and the short proposition thesis meat and potatoes drift hypothesis body purport
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crux

noun

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Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing crux

noun