*crescent*

a. [ Pref. bi- + crescent. ] Having the form of a double crescent. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To form into a crescent, or something resembling a crescent. [ R. ] Anna Seward. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To adorn with crescents. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. cressent, cressaunt, crescent (in sense 1), OF. creissant increasing, F. croissant, p. pr. of croître, OF. creistre, fr. L. crescere to increase, v. incho.; akin to creare to create. See Create, and cf. Accrue, Increase, Crescendo. ] 1. The increasing moon; the moon in her first quarter, or when defined by a concave and a convex edge; also, applied improperly to the old or decreasing moon in a like state. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything having the shape of a crescent or new moon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A representation of the increasing moon, often used as an emblem or badge; as: (a) A symbol of Artemis, or Diana. (b) The ancient symbol of Byzantium or Constantinople. Hence: (c) The emblem of the Turkish Empire, adopted after the taking of Constantinople. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cross of our faith is replanted,
The pale, dying crescent is daunted. Campbell. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Any one of three orders of knighthood; the first instituted by Charles I., king of Naples and Sicily, in 1268; the second by René of Anjou, in 1448; and the third by the Sultan Selim III., in 1801, to be conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Her.) The emblem of the increasing moon with horns directed upward, when used in a coat of arms; -- often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Shaped like a crescent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Astarte, queen of heaven, with crescent horns. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Increasing; growing. [ 1913 Webster ]

O, I see the crescent promise of my spirit hath not set. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Crescent-shaped. “Crescentic lobes.” R. Owen. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In the form of a crescent; like a crescent. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. decrescens, p. pr. of decrescere. See Decrease. ] Becoming less by gradual diminution; decreasing; as, a decrescent moon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Her.) A crescent with the horns directed towards the sinister. Cussans. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Equi- + crescent. ] (Math.) Increasing by equal increments; as, an equicrescent variable. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. excresens, -entis, p. pr. of excrescere to grow out ; ex out + crescere to grow. See Crescent. ] Growing out in an abnormal or morbid manner or as a superfluity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Expunge the whole, or lip the excrescent parts. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Excrescent letter (Philol.), a letter which has been added to a root; as, the d in alder (AS. alr) is an excrescent letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>a. Pertaining to, or resembling, an excrescence. [ R. ] Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. increscens, -entis, p. pr. of increscere. See Increase. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Increasing; growing; augmenting; swelling; enlarging. [ 1913 Webster ]

Between the incresent and decrescent moon. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Her.) Increasing; on the increase; -- said of the moon represented as the new moon, with the points turned toward the dexter side. [ 1913 Webster ]