cruces

[ kroo-seez ]
/ ˈkru siz /

noun

a plural of crux.

Definition for cruces (2 of 3)

crux
[ kruhks ]
/ krʌks /

noun, plural crux·es, cru·ces [kroo-seez] /ˈkru siz/.

a vital, basic, decisive, or pivotal point: The crux of the trial was his whereabouts at the time of the murder.
a cross.
something that torments by its puzzling nature; a perplexing difficulty.

Origin of crux

1635–45; < Latin: stake, scaffold, or cross used in executions, torment; figurative senses perhaps < New Latin crux ( interpretum) (commentators') torment, a difficult passage in a text; cf. crucial

SYNONYMS FOR crux

Definition for cruces (3 of 3)

Las Cruces
[ lahs kroo-sis ]
/ lɑs ˈkru sɪs /

noun

a city in S New Mexico, on the Rio Grande.

Example sentences from the Web for cruces

British Dictionary definitions for cruces (1 of 3)

cruces
/ (ˈkruːsiːz) /

noun

a plural of crux

British Dictionary definitions for cruces (2 of 3)

Crux
/ (krʌks) /

noun Latin genitive Crucis (ˈkruːsɪs)

the more formal name for the Southern Cross

British Dictionary definitions for cruces (3 of 3)

crux
/ (krʌks) /

noun plural cruxes or cruces (ˈkruːsiːz)

a vital or decisive stage, point, etc (often in the phrase the crux of the matter)
a baffling problem or difficulty
mountaineering the most difficult and often decisive part of a climb or pitch
a rare word for cross

Word Origin for crux

C18: from Latin: cross

Medical definitions for cruces

crux
[ krŭks, kruks ]

n. pl. crux•es

A cross or a crosslike structure.