crest

[ krest ]

noun

1. the highest part of a hill or mountain range; summit.
2. the head or top of anything.
3. a ridge or ridgelike formation.
4. the foamy top of a wave.
5. the point of highest flood, as of a river.
6. the highest point or level; climax; culmination.
7. a tuft or other natural growth on the top of the head of an animal, as the comb of a rooster.
8. anything resembling or suggesting such a tuft.
9. the ridge of the neck of a horse, dog, etc.
10. the mane growing from this ridge.
11. an ornament or heraldic device surmounting a helmet.
12. a helmet.
13. a ridge running from front to back along the top of a helmet; comb.
14. Heraldry. a figure borne above the escutcheon in an achievement of arms, either on a helmet or by itself as a distinguishing device.
15. Anatomy. a ridge, especially on a bone.
16. a ridge or other prominence on any part of the body of an animal.
17. Architecture. a cresting.
18. Machinery. (in a screw or other threaded object) the ridge or surface farthest from the body of the object and defined by the flanks of the thread. Compare root ¹( def 15a ).

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with a crest.
2. to serve as a crest for; crown or top.
3. to reach the crest or summit of (a hill, mountain, etc.).

verb (used without object)

1. to form or rise to a crest, as a wave or river.
2. to reach the crest or highest level:

   Interest in the project has crested.

crest

¹

/ krɛst /

noun

1. a tuft or growth of feathers, fur, or skin along the top of the heads of some birds, reptiles, and other animals
2. something resembling or suggesting this
3. the top, highest point, or highest stage of something
4. a ridge on the neck of a horse, dog, lion, etc
5. the mane or hair growing from this ridge
6. an ornamental piece, such as a plume, on top of a helmet
7. heraldry a symbol of a family or office, usually representing a beast or bird, borne in addition to a coat of arms and used in medieval times to decorate the helmet
8. a ridge along the top of a roof, wall, etc
9. a ridge along the surface of a bone
10. Also calledcresting archery identifying rings painted around an arrow shaft

verb

1. intr to come or rise to a high point
2. tr to lie at the top of; cap
3. tr to go to or reach the top of (a hill, wave, etc)

CREST

²

/ krɛst /

noun

1. an electronic share-settlement system, created by the Bank of England and owned by 69 firms, that began operations in 1996

crest

/ krĕst /

1. The part of a wave with greatest magnitude; the highest part of a wave.
2. Compare troughSee more at wave

Derived Forms

• ˈcrested, adjective
• ˈcrestless, adjective

Other Words From

• crested adjective
• crestless adjective
• subcrest noun
• un·crested adjective
• under·crest noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crest¹

1275–1325; Middle English creste < Old French < Latin crista

Word History and Origins

Origin of crest¹

C14: from Old French creste , from Latin crista

Origin of crest²

C20: from CrestCo , the name of the operating company

Example Sentences

The dam is now undergoing a retrofit that will raise its crest by 10 feet and fortify the dam for earthquake safety.

From Los Angeles Times

Many species are legally protected, such as badgers, bats and great crested newts, and Natural England has to issue a licence before any work can take place that could harm them.

From BBC

Richard II, whose crest was a white hart, was said to have inspired the pub's name when he reportedly spent the night there in the 15th Century.

From BBC

A wall of flames over 300 feet tall by Smith’s estimate crested the ridge, roaring with the sound of a jet engine and blasting the resort with superheated wind and debris.

From Los Angeles Times

Walk six blocks on Sunset Cliffs, turn left on Point Loma Avenue and cross over the crest of Point Loma Peninsula.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• height
• peak
• ridge