crescent definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

cres·cent [ kréss'nt ]

noun (plural cres·cents)

Definition:

1. less than half visible Moon: the Moon or a planet before and after it is full, when it has less than half its disk illuminated

2. arc shape: a curved shape like that of the Moon when it is less than half illuminated

3. arc-shaped thing: something shaped like a crescent

4. arc-shaped street: a curved street, especially one that opens onto the same street at each end

5. Islamic symbol: the emblem of Islam or Turkey, shaped like a crescent moon

6. Islamic power: Islamic or Turkish power

7. heraldic symbol for second son: in heraldry, a crescent moon, used to signify a second son

adjective

Definition:

1. arc-shaped: shaped like a crescent

2. growing: gradually increasing in size ( literary )

[14th century. Via Anglo-Norman< Latin crescent-, present participle of crescere "grow"]

cres·cen·tic [ krə séntik ] adjective

Word History


	The Latin word crescere, "to grow," from which crescent is derived, is also the source of English accrete, concrete, create, crescendo, crew¹, croissant, increase, and recruit.