The word "cruciform" is spelled with five letters, starting with "c" and ending with "m." The pronunciation is /ˈkruːsɪfɔːrm/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "cru" sound rhymes with "blew" and "sif" sounds like "sift." The "or" sound is pronounced like "aw" and the "m" sound is similar to "mm" but with a slightly elongated end. This word is used to describe something that is shaped like a cross, typically used in reference to church architecture or ornamental design.
Cruciform is an adjective that describes something as being in the shape of a cross or having a cross-like form. The term is derived from the Latin word "crux," meaning cross, and the suffix "-form," indicating the shape or structure of something.
When applied to objects or structures, cruciform refers to the design, pattern, or arrangement resembling a cross. This can include architectural elements such as a building with a cross-shaped floor plan or a cross-shaped window. In religious contexts, cruciform is commonly used to describe objects associated with Christianity, particularly crosses used in worship or religious art with a cross-like shape.
In biology, cruciform refers to a specific DNA structure called a cruciform DNA or cruciform structure. This refers to a conformational shape in which two double strands of DNA form a cross-like structure due to the presence of inverted or complementary DNA sequences. This arrangement often occurs during DNA replication, repair, or recombination processes.
Overall, the term cruciform is used to describe shapes, structures, or objects that share a resemblance to a cross, whether it be in a physical, architectural, symbolic, or biological sense.
In bot., consisting of four equal petals disposed in the form of a cross. Note.-the cruciform plants include the stocks, wallflowers, cabbages, and cresses.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word cruciform is derived from the combination of two Latin roots: crux, meaning cross, and forma, meaning shape or form. Therefore, cruciform literally means cross-shaped or in the form of a cross.