IPA: /ˈkruːsɪfaɪər/
KK: /ˈkruːsɪfaɪər/
A person who crucifies someone or something, often used metaphorically to describe someone who puts another through a difficult or painful experience.
The crucifier of the story faced many challenges but remained strong throughout.
Crucifier is formed from "crux" (from Latin, meaning cross) and "-fier" (from Latin "facere", meaning to make or do). The word refers to one who makes or causes to be crucified, specifically relating to the act of crucifixion.
Think of someone who 'makes' ('-fier') someone 'on a cross' ('crux') — that's why a crucifier is someone who crucifies.