Main Entry:

¹cru·sade

Pronunciation:

\krü-ˈsād\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

blend of Middle French croisade & Spanish cruzada; both ultimately from Latin cruc-, crux cross

Date:

circa 1708

1capitalized : any of the military expeditions undertaken by Christian powers in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to win the Holy Land from the Muslims2: a remedial enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm