Cru*sade" (kr?-s?d"), n. [F. croisade, fr. Pr. crozada, or Sp cruzada, or It. crociata, from a verb signifying to take the cross, mark one's self with a cross, fr. L. crux cross; or possibly taken into English directly fr. Pr. Cf. Croisade, Crosado, and see Cross.]
1.
Any one of the military expeditions undertaken by Christian powers, in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Mohammedans.
2.
Any enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm; as, a crusade against intemperance.
3.
A Portuguese coin. See Crusado.
© Webster 1913.
Cru*sade", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Crusaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Crusading.]
To engage in a crusade; to attack in a zealous or hot-headed manner.
"Cease
crusading against sense."
M. Green.
© Webster 1913.