Cruz

IPA/kɹˈuːz/
KK[krˈuz]IPA/krˈuːz/

Cruz — biographical name

1. a 17th-century Mexican nun and writer whose poems, plays, and essays are conside

1.biographical name
Definition

a 17th-century Mexican nun and writer whose poems, plays, and essays are considered important works of Spanish-language literature, and who is remembered for speaking out for women's right to education.

Example

Juana Inés de la Cruz's poetry is studied across Latin America and Spain.

collocation: poetry / works of [writer]

Hugo admired the courage in Sor Juana's letter defending women's education.

formal letter / defence of women's education

Common collocations
  • works of Cruz
  • poetry of Cruz
  • writings by Cruz
  • Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
  • convent of Cruz
Synonyms
  • Sor Juana

    a common shortened form used in both Spanish and English, especially in literary contexts

  • Juana Inés de Asbaje

    her birth name before entering the convent; less frequently used in English texts

Usage Note

In English, she is often called Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (Sor meaning 'Sister' in Spanish) or simply Sor Juana. Her full name may also appear as Juana Inés de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana.

Common Mistakes

Juana Ines de la Cruz
Juana Inés de la Cruz
The Spanish name includes an acute accent on the 'e' of Inés.

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • works of Cruz
  • readings of Cruz
  • life and work of Cruz

Prepositions

  • of Cruz
  • by Cruz
  • about Cruz

Etymology

LatinSpanishEnglish

Cruz is the Spanish and Portuguese word for 'cross', from Latin crux (genitive crucis). As a surname, it originated in Iberia, often with religious symbolism. Juana Inés de la Cruz adopted 'de la Cruz' ('of the Cross') as her religious name when she entered the Hieronymite convent of San Jerónimo in Mexico City in 1669.