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 body2: something suggesting a crest esp. 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