Crusade
/kruːˈseɪd/noun
A medieval military expedition sanctioned by the papacy, especially one aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land.
Did you know?Participants were described in medieval Latin as cruce signati—“those signed with the cross”—because they wore or sewed a cross onto their clothing as a sacred pledge.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
crux, crucis
“A cross, especially the wooden instrument of execution”
Late Latin
Latin
cruciare
“To torture or torment, literally to afflict as though on a cross”
11th–12th Century
Medieval Latin
cruciata
“A campaign or expedition undertaken under the sign of the cross”
13th Century
Old French
croisade
“A crusade or military expedition bearing the cross”
13th–14th Century
Middle English
crusade, croisade
“A military expedition to recover the Holy Land”
Modern English
English
crusade
“A historical religious war or an impassioned campaign for a cause”