crux

¹

[ kruhks ]

noun

, plural crux·es, cru·ces [kroo, -seez].

1. a vital, basic, decisive, or pivotal point:

   The crux of the trial was his whereabouts at the time of the murder.

   Synonyms: gist, core, heart, essence

2. a cross.
3. something that torments by its puzzling nature; a perplexing difficulty.

Crux

²

[ kruhks ]

noun

, Astronomy.

, genitive Cru·cis [kroo, -sis].

1. Southern Cross.

crux

¹

/ krʌks /

noun

1. a vital or decisive stage, point, etc (often in the phrase the crux of the matter )
2. a baffling problem or difficulty
3. mountaineering the most difficult and often decisive part of a climb or pitch
4. a rare word for cross

Crux

²

/ krʌks /

noun

1. the more formal name for the Southern Cross

Word History and Origins

Origin of crux¹

1635–45; < Latin: stake, scaffold, or cross used in executions, torment; figurative senses perhaps < New Latin crux ( interpretum ) (commentators') torment, a difficult passage in a text; crucial

Origin of crux²

< Latin: a cross

Word History and Origins

Origin of crux¹

C18: from Latin: cross

Example Sentences

But fundamentally, the crux of the problem persists.

From Salon

Once again, McBurney cited bad timing as the crux of his reasoning.

From Salon

And therein lies the crux of the issue.

From Salon

But this story, at its crux, is not about her salary per se.

From BBC

"There just are not the resources to invest, that is the crux of the problem."

From BBC

Related Words

• bottom line
• core
• essence
• gist
• nub