Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Crescent?

\Cres"cent\ (kr[e^]s"sent), n. [OE. cressent, cressaunt, crescent (in sense 1), OF. creissant increasing, F. croissant, p. pr. of cro[^i]tre, OF. creistre, fr. L. crescere to increase, v. incho.; akin to creare to create. See {Create}, and cf. {Accrue}, {Increase}, {Crescendo}.] 1. The increasing moon; the moon in her first quarter, or when defined by a concave and a convex edge; also, applied improperly to the old or decreasing moon in a like state. 2. Anything having the shape of a crescent or new moon. 3. A representation of the increasing moon, often used as an emblem or badge; as: (a) A symbol of Artemis, or Diana. (b) The ancient symbol of Byzantium or Constantinople. Hence: (c) The emblem of the Turkish Empire, adopted after the taking of Constantinople. The cross of our faith is replanted, The pale, dying crescent is daunted. --Campbell. 4. Any one of three orders of knighthood; the first instituted by Charles I., king of Naples and Sicily, in 1268; the second by Ren['e] of Anjou, in 1448; and the third by the Sultan Selim III., in 1801, to be conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services. --Brande & C. 5. (Her.) The emblem of the increasing moon with horns directed upward, when used in a coat of arms; -- often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants.
\Cres"cent\ (kr[e^]s"sent), a. 1. Shaped like a crescent. Astarte, queen of heaven, with crescent horns. --Milton. 2. Increasing; growing. O, I see the crescent promise of my spirit hath not set. --Tennyson.
\Cres"cent\, v. t. 1. To form into a crescent, or something resembling a crescent. [R.] --Anna Seward. 2. To adorn with crescents.