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,. 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; krəˈsɛntɪk; ˈkrɛsənt /

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. the crescent
   the crescent often capital
   1. the emblem of Islam or Turkey
   2. Islamic or Turkish power

adjective

1. archaic.
   increasing or growing

crescent

/ krĕs′ənt /

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

Derived Forms

• crescentic, adjective

Other Words From

• cres·cen·tic [kri-, sen, -tik], adjective
• sub·cres·cen·tic 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

If partly to mostly cloudy skies allow a glimpse, check out the sliver of new crescent moon on the western horizon with Mars and Venus in conjunction.

From Washington Post

The sliver of a new crescent moon on the western horizon with Mars and Venus in conjunction is likely to be obscured early Sunday evening but has a better chance to be seen Monday evening.

From Washington Post

For this week’s Classic, let’s take a closer look at a waxing crescent moon.

From FiveThirtyEight

The industry has its critics, such as Prince William residents concerned that data centers will spoil the beauty of its western rural crescent.

From Washington Post

The crescent-shaped pastries called shekerbura, filled with crushed hazelnuts, sugar and cardamom, look more like something to admire as art than ravage with fingers and teeth.

From Washington Post

Leaving the OR that night, I looked up the clear sky, at the flocks of white seagulls and a sliver of crescent moon.

From The Daily Beast

Tipitina's in the warm blue fog, squatting beneath a crescent moon so sharp and clean you could shave a wild hog with it.

From The Daily Beast

More Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers have been killed in this conflict than in any other since records have been kept.

From The Daily Beast

The head of Iran's Red Crescent rescue corps, Mahmoud Mozafar, said communications to the stricken areas have been cut.

From The Daily Beast

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent recently estimated that 2.5 million people have been displaced within the country.

From The Daily Beast

The valve-seat H has formed on its lower surface two crescent shaped long and narrow slits.

From Project Gutenberg

From her windows could be seen the crescent of the river, the masts of ships and the big chimneys of the Mississippi steamers.

From Project Gutenberg

It floated out upon the night, over the housetops, the crescent of the river, losing itself in the silence of the upper air.

From Project Gutenberg

On either horn of the crescent by which the pebbles are imported into the pocket we find the largest fragments.

From Project Gutenberg

They are ranged around a crescent-shaped table formed of cushions, and wear festive crowns upon their heads.

From Project Gutenberg