[a. late L. crucifer cross-bearer (applied by Prudentius to Christ).]

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  1.  Eccl. An attendant who carries a cross in a procession; a cross-bearer.

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1574.  Life 70th Abp. Canterb., Pref. D iij b. What fees weare bestowed on his crucifer Marshall, and other seruantes.

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1865.  Reader, 24 June, 706. The procession, headed by a crucifer, left the school-room.

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1888.  F. G. Lee, in Archæol., LI. 365, note. The bishop of Rochester … is official crucifer to the archbishops of Canterbury.

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  2.  Bot. A cruciferous plant: see next.

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1846.  Lindley, Veg. Kingd., 352. Almost all Crucifers are destitute of bracts.

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1869.  Oliver, Elem. Bot., II. 139. All Crucifers are wholesome, and many are anti-scorbutic.

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