crutch etymology

Etymology and Origin:

The word "crutch" comes from the Middle English word "crucche," which is derived from the Old French word "croche." "Croche" is also the origin of the English word "crook" and ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kreuǵ-" (to bend or curve).

Meaning:

  1. Medical Instrument: A device used to support and aid movement in individuals with difficulty walking due to injury, disability, or weakness. It consists of a vertical support with a curved handle at the top and a rubber or metal foot at the bottom.

  2. Figurative:

    • Something that provides temporary or unreliable support; a prop: "His old friends were a crutch for him during his time of need."
    • Something that hinders or inhibits progress or improvement: "The rigid hierarchy of the company was a crutch that stifled innovation."
    • A person or thing that is relied upon for support or assistance: "She had become a crutch for her elderly parents."

Examples of Usage:

  • The injured hiker used a crutch to get back down the trail.
  • She was using her job as a crutch to avoid facing her personal problems.
  • The company's reliance on their legacy systems was a crutch holding them back from adapting to the digital age.

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