— crescentic /kri sen"tik/ , adj.
/kres"euhnt/ , n.
1. a shape resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.
2. something, as a roll or cookie, having this shape.
3. Astron.
a. the figure of the moon in its first or last quarter, resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends. See diag. under moon .
b. the similar figure of Mercury and Venus on either side of inferior conjunction, when seen through a telescope.
4. the emblem of Turkey or of Islam.
5. the power, religion, or civilization of Turkey or of Islam.
6. Also called Chinese crescent, Chinese pavilion, jingling Johnny, pavillon Chinois, Turkish crescent . a musical percussion instrument of Turkish origin, consisting of a pole bearing a crescent-shaped metal plate, topped with a pavillon, and hung with small bells.
7. Chiefly Brit.
a. a curved street, often having solid façades of unified architectural design.
b. the curve or curved portion of a street.
8. Heraldry. a representation of a crescent moon, horns upward unless otherwise specified, used as the cadency mark of a second son.
adj.
9. shaped like a crescent.
10. increasing; growing.
[ 1350-1400; crescent- (s. of crescens ) prp. of crescere to grow (see CREATE, -ESCE); r. ME cressaunt ]