Crusade \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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Any enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm; as, a crusade against intemperance. [1913 Webster]
3. A Portuguese coin. See Crusado. [1913 Webster]
Crusade \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.
[1913 Webster]
crusade
noun1: a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the cause of world peace"; "the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant"; "the movement to end slavery"; "contributed to the war effort" [syn: campaign, cause, crusade, drive, movement, effort]
2: any of the more or less continuous military expeditions in the 11th to 13th centuries when Christian powers of Europe tried to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims
verb
1: exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for; "The liberal party pushed for reforms"; "She is crusading for women's rights"; "The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate" [syn: crusade, fight, press, campaign, push, agitate]
2: go on a crusade; fight a holy war
22 Moby Thesaurus words for "crusade": activity, battle, campaign, cause, commitment, drive, expedition, faith, fight, great cause, holy war, interest, issue, jehad, jihad, lifework, lobby, mass movement, movement, principle, reason for being, war
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