- Crescent
- Crescent Cres"cent (kr[e^]s"sent), n. [OE. cressent,
cressaunt, crescent (in sense 1), OF. creissant increasing,
F. croissant, p. pr. of cro[^i]tre, OF. creistre, fr. L.
crescere to increase, v. incho.; akin to creare to create.
See {Create}, and cf. {Accrue}, {Increase}, {Crescendo}.]
1. The increasing moon; the moon in her first quarter, or
when defined by a concave and a convex edge; also, applied
improperly to the old or decreasing moon in a like state.
[1913 Webster]
2. Anything having the shape of a crescent or new moon. [1913 Webster]
3. A representation of the increasing moon, often used as an emblem or badge; as: (a) A symbol of Artemis, or Diana. (b) The ancient symbol of Byzantium or Constantinople. Hence: (c) The emblem of the Turkish Empire, adopted after the taking of Constantinople. [1913 Webster]
The cross of our faith is replanted, The pale, dying crescent is daunted. --Campbell. [1913 Webster]
4. Any one of three orders of knighthood; the first instituted by Charles I., king of Naples and Sicily, in 1268; the second by Ren['e] of Anjou, in 1448; and the third by the Sultan Selim III., in 1801, to be conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services. --Brande & C. [1913 Webster]
5. (Her.) The emblem of the increasing 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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.