[cru.sade] n [blend of MF croisade & Sp cruzada; both ultim. fr. L cruc-, crux cross] (ca. 1708) 1 cap: any of the military expeditions undertaken by Christian powers in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to win the Holy Land from the Muslims
2: a remedial enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm
[2]crusade vi cru.sad.ed ; cru.sad.ing (1732): to engage in a crusade -- cru.sad.er n