crush
UK: krʌʃ | US: krʌʃ
v. to press or squeeze with force, often causing damage or deformation
v. to defeat or subdue completely
n. a strong but temporary infatuation
n. a crowded mass of people or things
The word "crush" originates from the Old French croissir (to gnash, crash, break), which likely evolved from the Vulgar Latin cruscire, an onomatopoeic term mimicking the sound of cracking or crushing. The modern English form retained the core idea of forceful pressure or breaking, later expanding metaphorically to emotional "crushes" (19th century) and overwhelming defeat.
Be careful not to crush the fragile glassware.
The army was crushed in the final battle.
She had a crush on her high school teacher.
The crowd formed a dangerous crush at the concert entrance.
Crush the garlic before adding it to the sauce.