crucifixion
/kruːsɪˈfɪkʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1An ancient form of execution in which a person was nailed or bound to a cross: there is little evidence that the Romans used to flog their victims before crucifixion...
- The Romans designed the act of crucifixion to slowly execute a person through torture while humiliating him.
- The usual crucifixion began with the victim being flogged and severely beaten.
- In real life crucifixions, the nail was placed between the radius and ulna bones of the forearm, with a plate of wood set between the head of the nail and the flesh to secure it further.
1.1 (the Crucifixion) The killing of Jesus Christ by crucifixion: Paul appears on the scene within a year or so of the Crucifixion
1.2 (Crucifixion) An artistic representation or musical composition based on the Crucifixion: Picasso’s Crucifixion of 1930...
- Grunewald's Crucifixion becomes a symbol of Germany's agony, the Passion it suffered as a consequence of its defeat in World War I.
- Each of the three movements ‘depicts’ an episode in the life of Christ: Nativity, Crucifixion and Resurrection.
- The choir will be singing Crucifixion, by Stainer, and anybody interested in joining in can go along to the rehearsal at 2pm on the same day.
Origin
Late Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin crucifixio(n-), from the verb crucifigere (see crucify).