Definition

1. Noun:

   • A showy growth on the head: A tuft, comb, or similar projection of feathers, fur, or skin on the head of a bird or other animal.
   • A heraldic emblem: A distinctive device or figure originally borne on a knight's helmet and later used as a family or institutional symbol.
   • The top or highest point: The summit, peak, or highest part of something, such as a hill, mountain, or wave.
   • A ridge or line: The top line or ridge of something, like the crest of a roof or the crest of a sand dune.

2. Verb:

   • To reach a high point: To reach the highest level, point, or stage of something.
   • To lie at the top of: To form or be positioned at the top or highest part of something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The rooster's red crest stood up when it crowed.
  • Their family crest featured a lion and a shield.
  • We finally reached the crest of the mountain and enjoyed the view.
  • The surfer rode the crest of the wave perfectly.

• Verb:

  • The river is expected to crest at noon tomorrow.
  • Old pine trees crest the hill behind the village.

Advanced Usage

• "On the crest of a wave": At the peak of success or popularity.

  • The young singer is on the crest of a wave after her hit single.

• "Crest and trough": The highest and lowest points of a wave, often used metaphorically.

  • The economy moves in cycles of crest and trough.

Variants and Related Words

• Crested (adj): Having a crest.

  • The crested crane is a beautiful bird.

• Crestfallen (adj): Dispirited and disappointed; dejected (literally, with a fallen or drooping crest, like a bird).

  • He was crestfallen after not getting the job.

Synonyms

• Noun (for top point): Summit, peak, apex, pinnacle, crown.
• Noun (for growth on head): Comb, tuft, plume.
• Verb (to reach a high point): Peak, climax, culminate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Crest" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal uses are typically intransitive or transitive as shown in the main definitions.)

Related Idioms

• "To crest the hill": To pass the most difficult part of a task or journey.
  • The project was tough, but we've crested the hill and the rest should be easier.

Noun

1. a showy growth of e.g. feathers or skin on the head of a bird or other animal
2. (heraldry) in medieval times, an emblem used to decorate a helmet
3. the center of a cambered road
4. the top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill)
   • the view from the peak was magnificent
   • they clambered to the tip of Monadnock
   • the region is a few molecules wide at the summit
5. the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

Verb

1. reach a high point
   • The river crested last night
2. lie at the top of
   • Snow capped the mountains