crux (noun F.m) : f. (m., Enn. ap. Non. p. 195, 13; Gracch. ap. Fest. s. v. masculino, p. 150, 24, and 151, 12 Müll.) [perh. kindred with circus].
* Lit.
* In gen., a tree, frame, or other wooden instruments of execution, on which criminals were impaled or hanged, Sen. Prov. 3, 10; Cic. Rab. Perd. 3, 10 sqq.
* Transf.
* As a term of reproach, a gallows bird, a hempen rascal, Plaut. Pers. 5, 2, 17.
* Transf., torture, trouble, misery, destruction, etc. (so most freq. in Plaut. and Ter., and in the former esp. freq. in connection with mala): aliqua mala crux, tormentor (of a prostitute), Plaut. Aul. 3, 5, 48; cf.: illae cruces,Ter. Eun. 2, 3, 92: quae te mala crux agitat?what tormentor troubles you?Plaut. Bacch. 4, 2, 2: abstraxit hominem in maximam malam crucem,id. Men. prol. 66: quaerere in malo crucem,Ter. Phorm. 3, 3, 11.—Prov.: summum jus antiqui summam putabant crucem,Col. 1, 7, 2.—Hence, in colloq. lang.: I (abi, etc.) in malam crucem!go to the devil! go and be hanged!Plaut. Cas. 3, 5, 17; id. Ps. 3, 2, 57; 4, 7, 86 al.; Ter. Phorm. 2, 3, 21; cf.: Cy. Num quid vis? Me. Ut eas maximam in malam crucem, Plaut. Men. 2, 2, 53; id. Capt. 3, 1, 9.—Without mala: I in crucem,Plaut. As. 5, 2, 91.—And ellipt.: in malam crucem!Plaut. Cas. 5, 4, 8; id. Ps. 5, 2, 5. —Hence, Ital. croce; Fr. croix.

s. TLL