A reference to someone who has been killed by being tied to or nailed to a cross and left there to die: "The crucified victim suffered a long time before he died."

1. To put (a person) to death by nailing or binding to a cross.
2. To mortify or to subdue (the flesh).
3. To treat cruelly; torment; as, "They crucified the awkward child with teasing."
4. To criticize harshly; pillory: "The media crucified the politician for breaking a campaign pledge."