Definition of CRUX

crux

Meanings

Plural: cruces, cruxes

Noun

  • a small conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere in the Milky Way near Centaurus
  • the most important point
  • The basic, central, or essential point or feature.
  • The critical or transitional moment or issue, a turning point.
  • A puzzle or difficulty.
  • The hardest point of a climb.
  • A cross on a coat of arms.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin crux (“cross, wooden frame for execution”), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to turn, to bend”). Doublet of cross and crouch (“cross”).

Synonyms

bowels, brass tacks, core, crux, Crux Australis, crux of the matter, deets, details, drift, essence, gist, gravamen, guts, heart, heart and soul, heartstring, heartstrings, inwardness, kernel, marrow, meat, moral of the story, nitty-gritty, nub, nuts and bolts, pith, punctum saliens, quintessence, soul, Southern Cross, spirit, stuff, substance, tenor

Scrabble Score: 13

crux is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
crux is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
crux is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

crux is a valid Words With Friends word