Crusade

n. [Fr. croisée, and O. Fr. croisée, Pr. crozada, Catalan crusada, Sp. & Pg. cruzada, It. crociata, from Lat. crux, cross. Cf. CROISADE and CROSS.]

1. A military expedition undertaken by Christian powers, in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Mohammedans.
2. Any hostile expedition undertaken from religious motives, or with religious zeal; any hot-headed or fanatical enterprise.
3. A Portuguese coin. See CRUSADO.