I. ˈkrest 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 ə l adjective
• crest·less -ləs adjective
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to furnish with a crest ; also : crown
2. : to reach the crest of
crest ed the hill and looked around
intransitive verb
: to rise to a crest
waves crest ing in the storm