Croix
/kʁwa/noun
A cross, especially one represented in heraldry or used as part of a French name or title.
Did you know?The Latin root crux gave English excruciating, whose original sense was suffering associated with crucifixion or extreme torture.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
crux
“A cross or stake used as an instrument of execution”
Late Latin
Latin
crucem
“Accusative form of crux, meaning a cross or cross-shaped execution device”
9th–10th Century
Vulgar Latin
crōcem
“Evolved spoken form of Latin crucem”
Old French
Old French
croiz
“A cross; a Christian cross”
12th–13th Century
Middle French
croiz / crois
“A cross, including a heraldic or religious emblem”
Modern French
French
croix
“A cross; also used in names, titles, heraldry, and military decorations”
Modern English
English
croix
“An established French loanword used mainly in heraldry, names, and expressions such as Croix de Guerre”
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