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; 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. 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

The crescent is in a quiet area of Trowbridge made up of homes and four schools – two primary and two secondary.

From BBC

The planet’s edge is outlined as a glowing crescent, light that binds the two worlds together.

From Los Angeles Times

Intersected at its peak by a thin crescent — most likely a representation of the Golden Order, the dark fantasy world’s ruling theocracy — it feels bluntly referential to saints and prophets and resurrections.

From New York Times

Set on a ridge, five miles west of the destroyed city of Bakhmut, the town commands the heights above a crescent of industrial cities and villages that are home to roughly 200,000 residents.

From New York Times

Parkgoers can simply insert the box after removing any other trash inside, like plates, wax paper or any errant crescents of crusts.

From Seattle Times