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crux

(krŭks, krks)

n. pl. crux·es or cru·ces (krsēz)

1. The basic, central, or critical point or feature: the crux of the matter; the crux of an argument.

2. A puzzling or apparently insoluble problem.

3. The most difficult portion of an ascent in rock climbing or mountaineering.

[Probably short for Medieval Latin crux (interpretum), torment (of interpreters), from Latin crux, cross.]

Crux

(krŭks, krks)

See Southern Cross.

[Modern Latin, from Latin crux, cross.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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