Main Entry: ¹crest

Pronunciation: \ˈkrest\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English creste, from Anglo-French, from Latin crista; probably akin to Latin crinis hair

Date: 14th century

1 a : a showy tuft or process on the head of an animal and especially a bird — see bird illustration b : the plume or identifying emblem worn on a knight's helmet; also : the top of a helmet c (1) : a heraldic representation of the crest (2) : a heraldic device depicted above the escutcheon but not upon a helmet (3) : coat of arms 2a d : a ridge or prominence on a part of an animal body
2 : something suggesting a crest especially in being an upper prominence, edge, or limit: as a : peak; especially : the top line of a mountain or hill b : the ridge of a roof c : the top of a wave
3 a : a high point of an action or process and especially of one that is rhythmic b : climax, culmination <at the crest of his fame>

— crest·al \ˈkres-t^əl\ adjective

— crest·less \-ləs\ adjective