Pronunciation: [kɹuːsˈe͡ɪdz] (IPA) 
The word "crusades" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of /kruːˈseɪdz/. The first syllable "cru" is pronounced with a long "u" sound, followed by the emphasized "s" sound in "sade" and the "z" sound at the end. The "a" in "sades" is pronounced with an "ay" sound, while the "d" is silent. Overall, the spelling of "crusades" is unique and requires careful pronunciation to properly articulate its unique sounds.
The Crusades refer to a series of religious and military campaigns that took place between the 11th and 13th centuries. These campaigns were initiated by medieval Christians in Europe, primarily with the objective of capturing the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim control.
The term "crusades" encompasses multiple military expeditions, characterized by a fervent and religiously motivated force seeking to reclaim Christian territory considered sacred. These campaigns were sanctioned by the Papacy and gained significant support from various European rulers and nobles. The participants of the Crusades were known as crusaders.
The Crusades brought forth significant religious, cultural, and political impact. Many participants believed in the idea of liberating and protecting Christian pilgrims and the Holy Land from Muslim rulers. The conflict between Christians and Muslims during the Crusades led to considerable loss of life, as well as the establishment of new states such as the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Moreover, the Crusades engendered intense exchanges of knowledge, trade, and ideas between the Eastern and Western worlds. They introduced Europeans to new cultures, technologies, and goods, initiating the Renaissance and shaping the future development of Europe.
While the Crusades did not achieve their ultimate goal of completely reclaiming the Holy Land, they marked a significant period of medieval history, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the dynamics between different religious and cultural groups today.
Military expeditions in the middle ages for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Saracens, the soldiers wearing the figure of the cross, or having banners with crosses on them.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "crusades" is derived from the Latin word "cruciata" or "crux" meaning "cross". The term "cruciate milites" was used in medieval Latin to refer to the knights who bore the sign of the cross on their clothing as a symbol of their pilgrimage and commitment to the cause. Over time, "cruciata" evolved into the Old French word "croisade" and eventually became "crusade" in English.
