Crusade (kr?-s?d), n. [F. croisade, fr. Pr. crozada, or Sp cruzada, or It. crociata, from a verb signifying to take the cross, mark one's self with a cross, fr. L. crux cross; or possibly taken into English directly fr. Pr. Cf. Croisade, Crosado, and see Cross.] 1. Any one of the military expeditions undertaken by Christian powers, in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Mohammedans.
[1913 Webster]

2. Any enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm; as, a crusade against intemperance.
[1913 Webster]

3. A Portuguese coin. See Crusado.
[1913 Webster]