decrescent

[ dih-kres-uhnt ]

adjective

1. diminishing; decreasing.
2. waning, as the moon.

decrescent

/ dɪˈkrɛsənt /

adjective

1. (esp of the moon) decreasing; waning

Derived Forms

• deˈcrescence, noun

Other Words From

• de·crescence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decrescent¹

1600–10; < Latin dēcrēscent- (stem of dēcrēscēns ), present participle of dēcrēscere to decrease; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of decrescent¹

C17: from Latin dēcrescēns growing less; see decrease

Example Sentences

It is commonly borne with both points uppermost, but when representing the waning or the waxing moon—decrescent or increscent—its horns are turned to the sinister or dexter side of the shield.

From Project Gutenberg

The clock was striking two, as they reached Tom quad, and the decrescent moon to contradict him was already above the roofs.

From Project Gutenberg

The decrescent moon would scarcely survive the dawn, and meanwhile there would be darkness everywhere away from the golden heart of the dance in that great hall spinning with light and motion.

From Project Gutenberg

The windows wide open let in across the sound of the burbling stream the warm air of the lucid May night, where bats and owls and evejars flew across the face of the decrescent moon.

From Project Gutenberg

The warm May nights lulled them both, and they used to pass pleasant evenings leaning over the stream while the bats and fern-owls flew across the face of the decrescent moon; yet for Guy all the beauty of the season was more than ever endowed with intolerable fugacity.

From Project Gutenberg