Word Direct Answers

What does "crest" mean?

Crest: The plume of feathers, or other decoration, worn on a helmet; the distinctive ornament of a helmet, indicating the rank of the weare; hence, also, the helmet. Stooping low his lofty crest. Sir W. Scott. And on his head there stood upright A crest, in token of a knight. Gower.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Her.) A bearing worn, not upon the shield, but usually above it, or separately as an ornament for plate, liveries, and the like. It is a relic of the ancient cognizance. See Cognizance, 4.
  2. 3.The upper curve of a horse's neck. Throwing the base thong from his bending crest. Shak.
  3. 4.The ridge or top of wave. Like wave with crest of sparkling foam. Sir W. Scott.
  4. 5.The summit of a hill or mountain ridge.
  5. 6.The helm or head, as typical of a high spirit; pride; courage. Now the time is come That France must vail her lofty plumed crest. Shak.
  6. 7.(Arch.) The ornamental finishing which surmounts the ridge of a roof, canopy, etc. The finials of gables and pinnacles are sometimes called crest. Parker.
  7. 8.(Engin.) The top line of a slope or embankment. Crest tile, a tile made to cover the ridge of a roof, fitting upon it like a saddle. -- Interior crest (Fort.), the highest line of the parapet.
  8. 9.To furnish with, or surmount as, a crest; to serve as a crest for. His legs bestrid the ocean, his reared arm Crested the world. Shak. Mid groves of clouds that crest the mountain's brow. Wordsworth.
  9. 10.To mark with lines or streaks, like, or regarded as like, waving plumes. Like as the shining sky in summer's night, . . . Is crested with lines of fiery light. Spenser.
  10. 11.To form a crest.

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