- 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