Etymology

Noun

1. A violent collision or compression; a crash; destruction; ruin.
2. Violent pressure, as of a moving crowd; a crowd which produced uncomfortable pressure; as, a crush at a reception.
3. A short-lived and unrequited love or infatuation; the object of this infatuation.
   • 2004: Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage

     It had taken nine years from the evening that Truman first showed up with a pie plate at her mother's door, but his dogged perseverance eventually won him the hand of his boyhood Sunday school crush.

4. A violent crowding
5. A crowd control barrier
6. A standing stock or cage with movable sides used to restrain livestock for safe handling
7. A party, festive function
   • 1890 Oscar Wilde,The Picture of Dorian Gray ch 1

     Two months ago I went to a crush at Lady Brandon's.

Verb

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.

   to crush grapes

   Ye shall not offer unto the Lord that which is bruised, crushed, broken or cut. --Lev. xxii.

2. To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding; to comminute.

   to crush quartz

3. To overwhelm by pressure or weight; to beat or force down, as by an incumbent weight.

   After the corruption scandal, the opposition crushed the ruling party in the elections

4. To oppress or burden grievously.

   The sultan's black guard crushed every resistance bloodily

5. To overcome completely; to subdue totally.
6. To be or become broken down or in, or pressed into a smaller compass, by external weight or force'

   an eggshell crushes easily

7. To feel infatuation with or unrequited love for.

   She's crushing on him.