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Entry 9 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Crush

/(krŭsh)/ · IPA /kɹʌʃ/
01 v. t. 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 …
imp. & p. p. Crushed; p. pr. & vb. n. Crushing
  1. 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. 2.
    To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding; to comminute; as, to crush quartz.
  3. 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. 4.
    To oppress or burden grievously.
    “Thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway.” — Deut. xxviii. 33.
  5. 5.
    To overcome completely; to subdue totally.
    “Speedily overtaking and crushing the rebels.” — Sir. W. Scott.
  6. 6.
    to subdue or overwhelm (a person) by argument or a cutting remark; to cause (a person) to feel chagrin or humiliation; to squelch.
Phrases & compounds
To crush a cup — to drink.
To crush out — To force out or separate by pressure, as juice from grapes.
02 v. i. To be or become broken down or in, or pressed into a smaller compass, by external weight or force; as, an eggshell crushes easily.
  1. 1.
    To be or become broken down or in, or pressed into a smaller compass, by external weight or force; as, an eggshell crushes easily.
03 n. A violent collision or compression; a crash; destruction; ruin.
  1. 1.
    A violent collision or compression; a crash; destruction; ruin.
    “The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds.” — Addison.
  2. 2.
    Violent pressure, as of a crowd; a crowd which produced uncomfortable pressure; as, a crush at a reception.
    “Politics leave very little time for the bow window at White's in the day, or for the crush room of the opera at night.” — Macaulay.
Phrases & compounds
Crush hat — a hat which collapses, and can be carried under the arm, and when expanded is held in shape by springs; hence, any hat not injured by compressing.
Crush room — a large room in a theater, opera house, etc., where the audience may promenade or converse during the intermissions; a foyer.