crest

views updated Jun 27 2018

crest / krest/ • n. 1. a comb or tuft of feathers, fur, or skin on the head of a bird or other animal. ∎ a thing resembling such a tuft, esp. a plume of feathers on a helmet.2. the top of something, esp. a mountain or hill. ∎ the curling foamy top of a wave. ∎ Anat. a ridge along the surface of a bone. ∎ the upper line of the neck of a horse or other mammal.3. Heraldry a distinctive device borne above the shield of a coat of arms, or separately reproduced, for example on writing paper or silverware, to represent a family or corporate body.• v. [tr.] reach the top of (something such as a hill or wave). ∎ [intr.] (of a river) rise to its highest level. ∎ [intr.] (of a wave) form a curling foamy top. ∎ (be crested) have attached or affixed at the top: his helmet was crested with a fan of spikes.DERIVATIVES: crest·less adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

crest

views updated May 14 2018

crest tuft or plume of feathers; top, ridge XIV; ridge of an animal's neck XVI. — OF. creste (mod. crête) :- L. crista tuft, plume.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

CREST

views updated May 14 2018

CREST (krɛst) Med. calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, (o)esophageal malfunction, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia (in CREST syndrome)

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH