crux simplex
nounEtymology Unadapted borrowing from Latin; specifically, Medieval Latin, as this collocation to name the pole used by the ancient Romans comes from Justus Lipsius (1547–1606) rather than from their own use of Latin (Classical Latin).
1
A single beam or pole without a cross bar for executions.
2
Historical The simple pole or stake with which in the Roman Empire common criminals were executed either by being impaled with it or being attached to it, typically with the feet resting on a block to avoid a rapid death by asphyxia and using, for economy, only one nail through the hands (below the palm).
- Related terms
- crux ansata, crux decussata, crux gammata, crux immissa
- Coordinate terms
- cross, crucifix, crux ordinaria, gallows, gibbet