crescent

plural crescents · alternative abbreviation cres.

1. The figure of the moon as it appears between its first or last quarter and the new moon, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.
2. Something shaped like a crescent, especially:
   1. A curved pastry.

      Synonyms: crescent roll, croissant

   2. A curved street, often presenting a continuous façade, as of row houses.
   3. IslamA representation of a crescent, used as a symbol of Islam.

      The Turkish flag features a white star and crescent on red base.

   4. governmentThe emblem of the waxing moon with horns directed upward, when used in a coat of arms; often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants.
3. New ZealandA crescent spanner.
4. historicalAny of three orders of knighthood conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services.

   Sebastiani receives publicly the Sultan's thanks, and is decorated with the Order of the Crescent

   1880, Elizabeth Stone, Sebastiani receives publicly the Sultan's thanks, and is decorated with the Order of the Crescent

5. A crescentspot butterfly.

alternative abbreviation cres.

1. datedliterarynot comparablerareMarked by an increase; waxing, like the moon.

   O, I see the crescent promise of my spirit hath not set.

   1835, Alfred Tennyson, “Locksley Hall”, in Poems. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Edward Moxon, […], published 1842, →OCLC

   2 more examples

   For nature creſſant does not grovve alone / In thevvs and bulkes, but as this temple vvaxes, / The invvard ſervice of the minde and ſoule / Grovves vvide vvithal, […]

   For a human being's vital functions, increasing, do not grow alone / In physical development and bulk, but as this "temple" [i.e., the body] waxes, / The inward operation of the mind and soul / Grows wide with them.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (Second Quarto), London: […] I[ames] R[oberts] for N[icholas] L[ing] […], published 1604, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]

   crescent problems which have to be faced by a large part of humanity

   1928, Edward A. Ross, World Drift, New York; London: The Century Co., page v

2. not comparableShaped like a crescent.

   Astarte, queen of heaven, with crescent horns.

   1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

present singular third person crescents · participle present crescenting · participle past crescented · past crescented · alternative abbreviation cres.

1. transitiveTo form a crescent shape.

   A dark wood crescents more than half the lawn

   1809, Anna Seward, “Letter VI. 195”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)

2. transitiveTo decorate with crescents.

1. A number of places in the United States:
   1. A census-designated place in McIntosh County, Georgia.
   2. An unincorporated community in Latah County, Idaho.
   3. A township in Iroquois County, Illinois.
   4. A minor city and township in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
   5. A hamlet in the town of Halfmoon, Saratoga County, New York.
   6. An unincorporated community in Rowan County, North Carolina.
   7. An unincorporated community in Belmont County, Ohio.
   8. A city in Logan County, Oklahoma.
   9. An unincorporated community in Klamath County, Oregon.
   10. A township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
   11. An unincorporated community in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
   12. A town in Oneida County, Wisconsin.
   13. An unincorporated community in the town of Arthur, Chippewa County, Wisconsin.