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

After the adults in the car were killed, Leyan tried to call for help and got through to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

From Salon

Six months later, he attacked another child at the junction between Welbeck Crescent and Bank Street in Troon.

From BBC

Hochman supporters gathered on Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills on election night.

From Los Angeles Times

He allowed Quinn into his flat in the city's Ruthrieston Crescent.

From BBC

“The massive death tolls we keep seeing in extreme weather shows we are not well prepared for 1.3°C of warming, let alone 1.5°C or 2°C”, said Roop Singh, of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre which supports the WWA.

From BBC