crescent

[kres-uhnt]

noun

1. a shape resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.

2. something, as a roll or cookie, having this shape.

3. Astronomy.

   1. the figure of the moon in its first or last quarter, resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.

   2. the similar figure of Mercury and Venus on either side of inferior conjunction, when seen through a telescope.

4. the emblem of Turkey or of Islam.

5. the power, religion, or civilization of Turkey or of Islam.

6. Also called Chinese crescent. Also called Chinese pavilion. Also called jingling Johnny, pavillon Chinois. Also called Turkish crescent. a musical percussion instrument of Turkish origin, consisting of a pole bearing a crescent-shaped metal plate, topped with a pavillon, and hung with small bells.

7. Chiefly British.

   1. a curved street, often having solid façades of unified architectural design.

   2. the curve or curved portion of a street.

8. Heraldry.,  a representation of a crescent moon, horns upward unless otherwise specified, used as the cadency mark of a second son.

adjective

1. shaped like a crescent.

2. increasing; growing.

crescent

/ -zənt, ˈkrɛsənt, krəˈsɛntɪk /

noun

1. the biconcave shape of the moon in its first or last quarters

2. any shape or object resembling this

3. 1. a crescent-shaped street, often lined with houses of the same style

   2. ( capital when part of a name )

      Pelham Crescent

4. heraldry a crescent moon, used as the cadency mark of a second son

5. (often capital)

   1. the emblem of Islam or Turkey

   2. Islamic or Turkish power

adjective

1. archaic,  increasing or growing

crescent

1. Partly but less than half illuminated. Used to describe the Moon or a planet.

2. Compare gibbous

Other Word Forms

• crescentic adjective
• subcrescentic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crescent¹

1350–1400; < Latin crēscent- (stem of crēscēns ) present participle of crēscere to grow ( create, -esce ); replacing Middle English cressaunt < Anglo-French < Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of crescent¹

C14: from Latin crescēns increasing, from crescere to grow

Example Sentences

Canned crescent dough, improbably, was just right: pliable without tearing, sturdy without getting tough, and still capable of a respectable rise.

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It’s part of an area known as Flash Flood Alley, a crescent of land that curves from near Dallas down to San Antonio and then westward.

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From Aden to Kuwait, a crescent of Arabian protectorates was governed from Delhi, overseen by the Indian Political Service, policed by Indian troops, and answerable to the Viceroy of India.

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The month begins after the sighting of the crescent moon, with most mosques in Cambridgeshire starting their first fast on Saturday, while some are expected to start on Sunday.

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On Saturday 1 February, some of our BBC Weather Watchers reported these sightings of the crescent Moon and Venus close together.

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