Crush \Crush\ (kr?sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Crushed (kr?sht); p. pr. & vb. n. Crushing.]

[OE. cruschen, crousshen, Of. cruisir, croissir, fr. LL. cruscire, prob. of Ger. origin, from a derivative of the word seen in Goth. kruistan to gnash; akin to Sw. krysta to squeeze, Dan. kryste, Icel. kreysta.]

1. To press or bruise between two hard bodies; to squeeze, so as to destroy the natural shape or integrity of the parts, or to force together into a mass; as, to crush grapes.

Ye shall not offer unto the Lord that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut. --Lev. xxii. 24.

The ass . . . thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. --Num. xxii. 25.

2. To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding; to comminute; as, to crush quartz.

3. To overwhelm by pressure or weight; to beat or force down, as by an incumbent weight.

To crush the pillars which the pile sustain. --Dryden.

Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again. --Bryant.

4. To oppress or burden grievously.

Thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway. --Deut. xxviii. 33.

5. To overcome completely; to subdue totally.

Speedily overtaking and crushing the rebels. --Sir. W. Scott.

To crush a cup, to drink. [Obs.]

To crush out.
   (a) To force out or separate by pressure, as juice from grapes.
   (b) To overcome or destroy completely; to suppress.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)