croix French · revision 16853

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=2nd half of the 10th century, Passion de Clermont|origins=la crux}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kʁwa/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''croix''' ''f'' (invariable)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old French [[m|fro|croiz]], [[m|fro|crois]], [[m|fro|cruiz]].^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Wiktionary)^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|fro|croiz]], [[inh|la|crux|t=cross, gibbet; torment]], through its accusative [[m|la|crucem]].^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Wiktionary) The Latin word named several instruments of execution: the stake, the gallows, the cross.^(DHLF 1992) Crucifixion appears at Rome at the time of the Punic Wars, whence the suggestion that the word is of Punic origin; the Petit Robert calls its origin obscure.^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007) In Christian Latin it named the cross of Christ, its representation and the sign of the cross; already in classical Latin it meant “torment, punishment”.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ Cognate with [[it|croce]], [[ro|cruce]], [[pro|crotz]], [[ca|creu]], [[es|cruz]] and [[pt|cruz]].^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) Littré gives [[wa|creûs]] and [[pcd|cros]].^(Littré 1873) The Latin word also lies behind [[eu|gurutze]], [[br|kroaz]], [[en|cross]], [[nl|kruis]] and [[de|Kreuz]].^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The ''Passion'' of Clermont (second half of the 10th century) uses it for the gibbet of two perpendicular posts, and especially for the cross of Christ; the ''Vie de saint Léger'', of the same time, for a crucifix.^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Religious and symbolic senses grew from the cross of the Passion: ''signe de croix'' (13th century), ''porter sa croix'' “to bear one's cross” (1541, Calvin) and ''faire la croix sur le dos'' “to say goodbye to, give up” (1579), now lost.^(DHLF 1992)^(TLFi) ''Prendre la croix'' was to join the crusade (about 1207, Villehardouin), and the verb [[croiser]] took the same sense.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) The cross became the badge of orders and honours: ''croix de Malte'' (1680), ''avoir la croix'' of the Legion of Honour (1836, Stendhal), the ''Croix-Rouge'' (1864).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ From the shape came ''en croix'' (about 1160) and a mark made of two crossed strokes (about 1395), whence ''faire une croix sur'' “to give up for good” (1851, Murger).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) The old form of ''pile ou face'' was ''pile ou croix'', one side of the coin bearing a cross.^(DHLF 1992) ''C'est la croix et la bannière'' “it's a terrible business” is recorded by Furetière in 1690.^(BHVF)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 2nd half of the 10th century – The gibbet and the cross of Christ, in the ''Passion'' of Clermont.^(TLFi)

+ * c. 1160 – ''En croiz'' “crosswise”, in the ''Roman d'Eneas''.^(TLFi)

+ * c. 1207 – ''Prendre la croix'', in Villehardouin.^(TLFi)

+ * 13th century – ''Signe de croix''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * c. 1395 – A cross-shaped mark on a writing.^(TLFi)

+ * 1541 – ''Porter sa croix'', in Calvin.^(TLFi)

+ * 1680 – A dignity of the Order of Malta, in Richelet.^(TLFi)

+ * 1690 – ''La croix et la bannière'', in Furetière.^(BHVF)

+ * 1836 – ''Avoir la croix'' of the Legion of Honour, in Stendhal.^(TLFi)

+ * 1851 – ''Faire une croix sur le passé'', in Murger.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|cross]], the gibbet of a post and a crossbeam used for executions in Roman times, ''la Croix'', the cross of Christ.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(TLFi)

+ # A representation of the cross, a [[m|en|crucifix]]; a cross set up by a road or on a grave.^(TLFi)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # ''Signe de croix'': the sign of the cross, ''chemin de croix'', the Stations of the Cross.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(figurative)'' A trial, an affliction: ''porter sa croix''.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The badge of an order or decoration: ''croix de guerre'', ''croix de la Légion d'honneur''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ # Any figure of two crossing lines; a mark made of two crossed strokes: ''faire une croix sur'', to give up for good.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(heraldry)'' A cross as a charge.^(Wiktionary)

+ # Named kinds of cross: ''croix grecque'', ''latine'', ''de Saint-André'', ''de Lorraine'', ''gammée'' (the swastika).^(DHLF 1992)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''C'est la croix et la bannière'': it is a terrible business.^(BHVF)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[croiser]]

+ * [[croisillon]]

+ * [[croisade]]

+ * [[croisement]]

+ * [[croisière]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cruciforme]]

+ * [[crucifix]]

+ * [[crucial]]

+ * [[la|crux]]

+ * [[en|cross]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}