crescent

[ kres-uh nt ]

/ ˈkrɛs ənt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR crescent ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

Astronomy.

the figure of the moon in its first or last quarter, resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.
the similar figure of Mercury and Venus on either side of inferior conjunction, when seen through a telescope.

the emblem of Turkey or of Islam.

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

Also called Chinese crescent, Chinese pavilion, jingling Johnny, pavillon Chinois, 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.

Chiefly British.

a curved street, often having solid façades of unified architectural design.
the curve or curved portion of a street.

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

adjective

shaped like a crescent.

increasing; growing.

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Origin of crescent

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

OTHER WORDS FROM crescent

cres·cen·tic

[kri-sen-tik] /krɪˈsɛn tɪk/, adjectivesub·cres·cen·tic, adjective

Words nearby crescent

cres., crescas, crescendo, crescendo angina, crescendo murmur, crescent, crescent cell anemia, crescent truss, crescit eundo, crescive, creslan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for crescent

Tipitina's in the warm blue fog, squatting beneath a crescent moon so sharp and clean you could shave a wild hog with it.
The Stacks: The Neville Brothers Stake Their Claim as Bards of the Bayou|John Ed Bradley|April 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A rare happy moment under the Crescent City Connection bridge.
The City that Care Forgot||November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Crescent City is reinventing, rebuilding and reimagining itself.
Reboot America!|Tina Brown|October 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The night was partly cloudy and cool—55 degrees—and a crescent moon climbed in the sky.
Exclusive Excerpt: MLK's Haunting Final Hours|Hampton Sides|April 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Basic Quinoa by Crescent Dragonwagon This is quinoa at its most basic and elemental.
The Perfect Quinoa|Cookstr.com|February 2, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The stars were shining when we came out on the terrace, and the waning moon still hung its crescent overhead.
From Egypt to Japan|Henry M. Field
This is to ensure sufficient freedom for the dart when entering the crescent.
An Analysis of the Lever Escapement|H. R. Playtner
The arc of light became an arch and then a crescent, and swelled even as he looked.
Operation: Outer Space|William Fitzgerald Jenkins
The foot is long, crescent shaped in front and becomes narrowed to a point behind.
Birds and Nature, Vol. 12 No. 3 [August 1902]|Various
The crescent was thin and silvery, and the outline of the shadowed part was just visible.
Meteorology|J. G. M'Pherson

British Dictionary definitions for crescent

crescent

/ (ˈkrɛsənt, -zənt) /

noun

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

any shape or object resembling this

mainly British

a crescent-shaped street, often lined with houses of the same style
(capital when part of a name)Pelham Crescent

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

the crescent (often capital)

the emblem of Islam or Turkey
Islamic or Turkish power

adjective

archaic, or poetic increasing or growing

Derived forms of crescent

crescentic (krəˈsɛntɪk), adjective

Word Origin for crescent

C14: from Latin crescēns increasing, from crescere to grow

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for crescent

crescent

[ krĕs′ənt ]

n.

Something having concave and convex edges terminating in points.

adj.

Crescent-shaped.

Other words from crescent

cres•cen′tic (krə-sĕn′tĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for crescent

crescent

[ krĕs′ənt ]

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

crescent

noun

adjective

QUIZZES

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PUNCTUATION QUIZ

Origin of crescent

OTHER WORDS FROM crescent

Words nearby crescent

Words related to crescent

Example sentences from the Web for crescent

British Dictionary definitions for crescent

noun

adjective

Derived forms of crescent

Word Origin for crescent

Medical definitions for crescent

n.

adj.

Other words from crescent

Scientific definitions for crescent