The present participle of crush; pressing or squeezing with great force to break, deform, or defeat completely.
From Old French cruissir/croissir meaning 'to crash, break,' possibly of Germanic origin. The word entered English in the 14th century, initially meaning physical pressure, then expanding to emotional and metaphorical contexts by the 16th century.
Having a 'crushing' feeling about someone romantically creates a fascinating linguistic paradox—the same word describes both destructive force and overwhelming affection. This reflects how intense emotions can feel physically overwhelming, as if something powerful is pressing on our hearts or minds.
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