From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Crucifixion Cru`ci*fix"ion (kr?`s?-f?k"sh?n), n.
1. The act of nailing or fastening a person to a cross, for
the purpose of putting him to death; the use of the cross
as a method of capital punishment.
[1913 Webster]
2. The state of one who is nailed or fastened to a cross;
death upon a cross.
[1913 Webster]
3. Intense suffering or affliction; painful trial.
[1913 Webster]
Do ye prove
What crucifixions are in love? --Herrick.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
crucifixion
n 1: the act of executing by a method widespread in the ancient
world; the victim's hands and feet are bound or nailed to a
cross
2: the death of Jesus by crucifixion
3: the infliction of extremely painful punishment or suffering
[syn: {crucifixion}, {excruciation}]