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n. 1. a. A usually ornamental tuft, ridge, or similar projection on the head of a bird or other animal. b. An elevated, irregularly toothed ridge on the stigmas of certain flowers. c. A ridge or an appendage on a plant part, such as on a leaf or petal. 2. a. A plume used as decoration on top of a helmet. b. A helmet. 3. a. Heraldry A device placed above the shield on a coat of arms. b. A representation of such a device. 4. a. The top, as of a hill or wave. b. The highest or culminating point; the peak: the crest of a flood; at the crest of her career. 5. The ridge on a roof. v. crest·ed, crest·ing, crests v.tr. 1. To decorate or furnish with a crest. 2. To reach the crest of: crested the ridge. v.intr. 1. To form into a crest or crests: waves cresting over the seawall. 2. To reach a crest: The swollen river crested at 9:15. [Middle English creste, from Old French, from Latin crista; see sker-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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