n.
Pronunciation: ' krest
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 \ ' kres-t ə l \ adjective
– crest · less \ -l ə s \ adjective