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389 results for: crescent

Dictionary Entries (23 more entries. View all »)
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
cres·cent    Audio Help   [kres-uhnt] Pronunciation Key
–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.
a.the figure of the moon in its first or last quarter, resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.
b.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, Chinese pavilion, jingling Johnny, pavillon Chinois, Turkish 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.
a.a curved street, often having solid façades of unified architectural design.
b.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
9.shaped like a crescent.
10.increasing; growing.
[Origin: 1350–1400; < L créscent- (s. of créscéns) prp. of créscere to grow (see create, -esce); r. ME cressaunt < AF < L as above]

—Related forms
cres·cen·tic    Audio Help   [kri-sen-tik] Pronunciation Key, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopedia Articles (364 more entries. View all »)
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia - Cite This Source

crescent, emblematic representation of the quarter moon. The crescent and star, ancient Byzantine symbols that became the emblems of Constantinople, were also assumed as the standard of the Ottoman Turks. The crescent surmounted by a cross indicates the origin of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The crescent appears on the flags of various present-day Muslim nations. The emblem is also used in blazonry.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004, Columbia University Press.
Licensed from Columbia University Press


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