crucifier


cru·ci·fy

C0774400 (kro͞o′sə-fī′)tr.v. cru·ci·fied, cru·ci·fy·ing, cru·ci·fies 1. To put (a person) to death by nailing or binding to a cross.2. To mortify or subdue (the flesh).3. To treat cruelly; torment: crucified the awkward child with teasing.4. To criticize harshly; pillory: The media crucified the politician for breaking a campaign pledge.
[Middle English crucifien, from Old French crucifier, alteration of Latin crucifīgere : crux, cruc-, cross + fīgere, to attach; see dhīgw- in Indo-European roots.]
cru′ci·fi′er n.