crescent

¹cres·cent

noun \ˈkre-s^ənt\

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

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

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

Cres·cent

trademark \ˈkre-s^ənt\

Definition of CRESCENT

—used for an adjustable open-end wrench

Rhymes with CRESCENT

crescent

cres·cent

noun \ˈkres-^ənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

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