Question

Where does the word “crusade” come from?

Answer 1

cru·sade (kr-sd)
n.
1. often Crusade Any of the military expeditions undertaken by European Christians in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims.
2. A holy war undertaken with papal sanction.
3. A vigorous concerted movement for a cause or against an abuse. See Synonyms at campaign.
intr.v. cru·sad·ed, cru·sad·ing, cru·sades
To engage in a crusade.
[French croisade and Spanish cruzada, both ultimately from Latin crux, cruc-, cross.]

Answer 2

The word crusade is a blend of the Middle French word croisade and the Spanish word cruzada. These are both derived from the Latin word cruc-, meaning cross. The most basic translation is help the cross.