First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1crescent
noun cres·cent \ˈkre-sənt\
: the shape of the visible part of the moon when it is less than half full
: a shape that is curved, wide at its center, and pointed at its two ends like a crescent moon
Full Definition of CRESCENT
1
a : the moon at any stage between new moon and first quarter and between last quarter and the succeeding new moon when less than half of the illuminated hemisphere is visible b : the figure of the moon at such a stage defined by a convex and a concave edge
2
: something shaped like a crescent
— cres·cen·tic \kre-ˈsen-tik, krə-\ adjective
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Origin of CRESCENT
Middle English cressant, from Anglo-French, from present participle of crestre to grow, increase, from Latin crescere; akin to Old High German hirsi millet, Lithuanian šerti to feed, Greek koros boy
2crescent
adjective
Definition of CRESCENT
: marked by an increase : increasing <my powers are crescent — Shakespeare>
Origin of CRESCENT
Latin crescent-, crescens, present participle of crescere
First Known Use: 1574
Crescent
trademark Cres·cent \ˈkre-sənt\
CRESCENT[1] Defined for Kids
1crescent
noun cres·cent \ˈkre-sənt\
Definition of CRESCENT for Kids
1
: the shape of the visible part of the moon when it is less than half full
2
: something shaped like a crescent moon
2crescent
adjective
Definition of CRESCENT for Kids
: shaped like the crescent moon <crescent rolls>
Medical Dictionary
crescent
noun cres·cent \ˈkres-ənt\
Medical Definition of CRESCENT
1
: a crescent-shaped anatomical structure or section
2
: the gametocyte of the falciparum malaria parasite that is shaped like a crescent and constitutes a distinguishing character of malignant tertian malaria
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