/ ˈkresnt; NAmE ; BrE also ˈkreznt/ noun
1.
[ C ] a curved shape that is wide in the middle and pointed at each end :
a crescent moon
2.
[ C ] (often used in street names) a curved street with a row of houses on it :
I live at 7 Park Crescent.
3.
the Crescent [ sing. ] the curved shape that is used as a symbol of Islam
—see also the Red Crescent
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English cressant , from Old French creissant , from Latin crescere grow. The spelling change in the 17th century was due to the influence of the Latin.