Crescent

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkɹɛs.nÌ©t/, /ˈkɹɛz.nÌ©t/
• Rhymes: -É›sÉ™nt, -É›zÉ™nt

Origin

From Anglo-Norman cressaunt, from Old French creissant ("crescent of the moon") (French croissant), from Latin crēscēns, present active participle of crēscō ("arise, thrive"), from Proto-Indo-European *ker ("to grow"). See Old Armenian սերիմ (serim, "be born") and սերեմ (serem, "bring forth"), Ancient Greek κόρη (korē, "girl") and κούρος (kouros, "boy"), Latin creare ("produce, create, bring forth") and Ceres ("goddess of agriculture").

Full definition of crescent

Noun

1. The figure of the moon as it appears in its first or last quarter, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.
2. Something shaped like a crescent, especially:
1. A curved pastry.
2. A curved street, often presenting a continuous façade, as of row houses.
3. (Islam) A representation of the symbol used by Islamic caliphates
4. (NZ) A crescent spanner.
5. (historical) Any of three orders of knighthood conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services.
6. (heraldiccharge) The emblem of the waxing 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.
7. A crescentspot butterfly.

Derived terms

• crescent roll
• Fertile Crescent

Adjective

1. (dated, rare) marked by an increase; waxing, like the Moon.
• TennysonO, I see the crescent promise of my spirit hath not set.
2. Shaped like a crescent.
• MiltonAstarte, queen of heaven, with crescent horns.

Verb

1. (transitive) To form into a crescent, or something resembling a crescent.
• 1809, Anna Seward, Letter VI. 195, A dark wood crescents more than half the lawn
2. (transitive) To adorn with crescents.