Crest (kr&ebreve;st), n. [OF. creste, F. crête, 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, 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&ebreve;st), v. i. To form a crest.

• 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.
  
• 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.
  
• (heraldry): 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.
  
• The upper curve of a horse's neck.
  
• The ridge or top of a wave.
  
• The summit of a hill or mountain ridge.
  
• The helm or head, as typical of a high spirit; pride; courage.
  
• The ornamental finishing which surmounts the ridge of a roof, canopy, etc.
  
• The top line of a slope or embankment.