from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Crush \Crush\ (kr[u^]sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Crushed}
(kr[u^]sht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Crushing}.] [OE. cruschen,
crousshen, Of. cruisir, croissir, fr. LL. cruscire, prob. of
Ger. origin, from a derivative of the word seen in Goth.
kruistan to gnash; akin to Sw. krysta to squeeze, Dan.
kryste, Icel. kreysta.]
1. To press or bruise between two hard bodies; to squeeze, so
as to destroy the natural shape or integrity of the parts,
or to force together into a mass; as, to crush grapes.
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Ye shall not offer unto the Lord that which is
bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut. --Lev. xxii.
24.
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The ass . . . thrust herself unto the wall, and
crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. --Num. xxii.
25.
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2. To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding; to
comminute; as, to crush quartz.
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3. To overwhelm by pressure or weight; to beat or force down,
as by an incumbent weight.
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To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.
--Dryden.
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Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again. --Bryant.
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4. To oppress or burden grievously.
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Thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway.
--Deut.
xxviii. 33.
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5. To overcome completely; to subdue totally.
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Speedily overtaking and crushing the rebels. --Sir.
W. Scott.
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6. to subdue or overwhelm (a person) by argument or a cutting
remark; to cause (a person) to feel chagrin or
humiliation; to squelch.
[PJC]
{To crush a cup}, to drink. [Obs.]
{To crush out}.
(a) To force out or separate by pressure, as juice from
grapes.
(b) To overcome or destroy completely; to suppress.
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