krest n. & v. --n. 1 a a
comb or
tuft of feathers,
fur, etc. on a bird's or animal's
head. b
something resembling
this,
esp. a
plume of feathers on a
helmet. c a helmet;
the top of a helmet. 2 the top of something, esp. of a
mountain,
wave,
roof, etc. 3
Heraldry a a
device above the
shield and helmet of a
coat of arms. b
such a device reproduced on
writing paper or on a seal, signifying a
family. 4 a a line
along the top of the
neck of
some animals. b the
hair growing
from this; a
mane. 5 Anat. a
ridge along the
surface of a
bone. --v. 1 tr.
reach the crest of (a
hill, wave, etc.). 2 tr. a
provide with a crest. b
serve as a crest
to. 3 intr. (of a wave)
form into a crest. øon the crest of a wave at the
most favourable moment in one's
progress. øøcrested adj. (also in comb.). crestless adj. [ME f. OF creste f. L
crista tuft]