† disˈcruciate, v. Obs.
[f. discruciāt-, ppl. stem of L. discruciāre, f. dis- 5 + cruciāre to torture, rack, torment, f. crux, cruc-em cross.]
1. trans. To torment, torture, excruciate.
| 1600 Abp. Abbot Exp. Jonah 484 The conscience of the transgressing sinner..doth use to discruciate the person affected. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts 253 To discruciate and rack his thoughts with an insatiable desire of what he hath not. 1660 Sharrock Vegetables 149, I mean that we puzzle not ourselves over-much nor discruciate our spirits to resolve what are the causes. |
2. nonce-use. To puzzle out, unravel, solve (a ‘crux’ or riddle: cf. crux 3).
| a 1745 Swift To Sheridan Wks. 1745 VIII. 206 Pray discruciate what follows. |
Hence † disˈcruciating ppl. a., tormenting; also † discruciˈation, torture, torment, anguish.
| 1631 R. H. Arraignm. Whole Creature xi. §2. 100 They produce anxiety, griefe, vexation, anguish, discrutiation and discontent. 1666 Bp. of Norwich Serm. in Westm. Abb. 7 Nov. 30 Discruciating Fears..impatient Hopes. 1788 Trifler xxv. 323 It dimoves every discruciating pain from the stomach. |