-ˌfiks noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Late Latin; Medieval Latin crucifixus representation of Christ on the cross, from Late Latin, the crucified Christ, from crucifixus, past participle of crucifigere to crucify, from Latin cruci-, crux cross + figere to fasten — more at ridge , dike
1. : a representation of Christ on the cross usually painted in the Eastern Church or sculptured or molded and affixed in the Western Church
the cross, too, by degrees became the crucifix — H.H.Milman
also : the cross itself as a Christian emblem
2. obsolete : the crucified Christ
3. : a gymnastic stunt in which a performer supports himself on the rings by his hands with his arms held rigid in a horizontal position