Crest word meaning and definition

[noun] a showy growth of e.g. feathers or skin on the head of a bird or other animal
[noun] (heraldry) in medieval times, an emblem used to decorate a helmet
[noun] the center of a cambered road
[noun] the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
[noun] the top point of a mountain or hill; "the view from the peak was magnificent"; "they clambered to the summit of Monadnock"
[verb] reach a high point; "The river crested last night"
[verb] lie at the top of; "Snow capped the mountains"

\Crest\ (kr[e^]st), n. [OF. creste, F. cr[^e]te, L. crista.] 1. A tuft, or other excrescence or natural ornament, growing on an animal's head; the comb of a cock; the swelling on the head of a serpent; the lengthened feathers of the crown or nape of bird, etc. --Darwin. [Attack] his rising crest, and drive the serpent back. --C. Pitt. 2. The plume of feathers, or other decoration, worn on a helmet; the distinctive ornament of a helmet, indicating the rank of the wearer; 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. 3. (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. 4. The upper curve of a horse's neck. Throwing the base thong from his bending crest. --Shak. 5. The ridge or top of a wave. Like wave with crest of sparkling foam. --Sir W. Scott. 6. The summit of a hill or mountain ridge. 7. 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. 8. (Arch.) The ornamental finishing which surmounts the ridge of a roof, canopy, etc. The finials of gables and pinnacles are sometimes called crests. --Parker. 9. (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.
\Crest\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Crested}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Cresting}.] 1. 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. 2. 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.
\Crest\ (kr[e^]st), v. i. To form a crest.

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