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2 N‑UNCOUNT Some men refer to attractive women as crumpet . This use could cause offence. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

crum|ple /krʌ mp ^ə l/ (crumples , crumpling , crumpled )

1 VERB If you crumple something such as paper or cloth, or if it crumples , it is squashed and becomes full of untidy creases and folds. □ [V n] She crumpled the paper in her hand. □ [V ] The front and rear of the car will crumple during a collision. ● PHRASAL VERB Crumple up means the same as crumple . □ [V P n] She crumpled up her coffee cup. □ [V n P ] Nancy crumpled up the note and threw it in the bin. ●  crum|pled ADJ □  His uniform was crumpled, untidy, splashed with mud.

2 VERB If someone crumples , they collapse, for example when they have received a shock. [WRITTEN ] □ [V ] His body crumpled. □ [V prep] He immediately crumpled to the floor. □ [V -ed] Chance McAllister lay crumpled on the floor.

▸  crumple up → see crumple 1

crunch /krʌ ntʃ/ (crunches , crunching , crunched )

1 VERB If you crunch something hard, such as a sweet, you crush it noisily between your teeth. □ [V n] She sucked an ice cube into her mouth, and crunched it loudly. □ [V + into/on ] Richard crunched into the apple.

2 VERB If something crunches or if you crunch it, it makes a breaking or crushing noise, for example when you step on it. □ [V ] A piece of china crunched under my foot. □ [V n] He crunched the sheets of paper in his hands. ● N‑COUNT Crunch is also a noun. □ [+ of ] She heard the crunch of tires on the gravel driveway.

3 VERB If you crunch across a surface made of very small stones, you move across it causing it to make a crunching noise. □ [V prep/adv] I crunched across the gravel. □ [V prep/adv] …wheels crunching over a stony surface.

4 N‑SING [oft N n] You can refer to an important time or event, for example when an important decision has to be made, as the crunch . □  He can rely on my support when the crunch comes. □  The Prime Minister is expected to call a crunch meeting on Monday. ● PHRASE If you say that something will happen if or when it comes to the crunch , you mean that it will happen if or when the time comes when something has to be done. □  If it comes to the crunch, I'll resign over this.

5 VERB To crunch numbers means to do a lot of calculations using a calculator or computer. □ [V n] I pored over the books with great enthusiasm, often crunching the numbers until 1:00 a.m.

6 N‑COUNT A situation in which a business or economy has very little money can be referred to as a crunch . [BUSINESS ] □  …a financial crunch that could threaten the company's future.

7 N‑COUNT Crunches are exercises that you do to strengthen your stomach muscles. They involve sitting up from a lying position with your legs straight, bent, or raised. □  He spends hours doing crunches and squats in the gym.

crunchy /krʌ ntʃi/ (crunchier , crunchiest ) ADJ Food that is crunchy is pleasantly hard or crisp so that it makes a noise when you eat it. [APPROVAL ] □  …fresh, crunchy vegetables.

cru|sade /kruːse I d/ (crusades , crusading , crusaded )

1 N‑COUNT [N to-inf] A crusade is a long and determined attempt to achieve something for a cause that you feel strongly about. □ [+ against/for ] Footballers launched an unprecedented crusade against racism on the terraces.