crest
/krest/ (bre, ipa) · /krest/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkrest/ (ame, mw)
crest — noun
- crestsingular
- crestsplural
1. the uppermost line of a natural elevation — for example, a hilltop, a mountain p
the uppermost line of a natural elevation — for example, a hilltop, a mountain peak, or a wave just before it breaks — where the climb ends and the descent starts
The hikers reached the crest of the hill just before the sun went down.
collocation: crest of a hill
From the crest of the wave, the surfer could see the whole coastline spread out below.
collocation: crest of a wave
Snow covered the crest of the mountain for most of the year.
When the runners reached the crest of the slope, they began the fast descent back to town.
A small stone cross stood on the crest of the hill overlooking the village.
2. a tuft of feathers, a patch of fur, or a fleshy comb that stands upright on an a
a tuft of feathers, a patch of fur, or a fleshy comb that stands upright on an animal's head and is often used to attract a mate or warn off rivals
The male cardinal has a bright red crest that makes it easy to spot in the trees.
collocation: bright red crest
When the cockatoo feels threatened, it raises its yellow crest high in the air.
raises its crest (behaviour)
Some lizards have a crest of small spines running from the back of the head down to the tail.
The rooster's red crest is a sign of health that attracts the hens in the farmyard.
A crest of blue feathers stood up on the bird's head whenever it sang.
用法筆記
Commonly used for birds such as parrots, cockatoos, and cardinals, and for chickens and roosters where it is also called a comb.
3. a distinctive design or emblem representing a particular family, school, town, o
a distinctive design or emblem representing a particular family, school, town, or organisation, often with a long history and used on official items or buildings
The family crest showed a golden lion holding a sword above a silver river.
Every official letter from the school carried its crest at the top of the page.
collocation: school crest
Leila embroidered the old family crest onto a small cloth bag as a gift for her grandfather.
The crest of the city appears on public buildings, flags, and official documents.
The carved wooden crest above the fireplace showed the noble family's coat of arms.
- emblem
a broader term for any symbolic design used by a group
- coat of arms
a full heraldic design including a shield, crest, and other elements
- insignia
a badge or symbol of rank, office, or membership
用法筆記
Frequently used in contexts of tradition and heritage; school and university crests are common in British-style education systems.
常見錯誤
4. a decorative item, often using feathers, horsehair, or metal, mounted on a soldi
a decorative item, often using feathers, horsehair, or metal, mounted on a soldier's helmet or hat as an identifying mark, especially in historical military dress
The knight's crest was made of white feathers and fastened to the top of his steel helmet.
Each regiment had its own coloured crest on the front of the soldiers' hats.
collocation: coloured crest on a hat
The museum displayed a Roman officer's helmet crest made from red-dyed horsehair.
In the parade, the general wore a helmet with a golden crest that shone in the sunlight.
The crest on a soldier's helmet in ancient times helped other soldiers recognise their leader in battle.
用法筆記
This sense is historical; modern military headgear rarely carries a visible crest of this type.
5. a narrow raised ridge on a bone or body part where muscles or tendons attach, pr
a narrow raised ridge on a bone or body part where muscles or tendons attach, providing strength and support to the skeleton
The doctor pointed to the crest of the patient's hip bone on the X-ray image.
Runners sometimes feel pain along the crest of the shin bone after long training sessions.
anatomical: crest of the shin bone
The nurse gently felt the crest of the collarbone to check for signs of a fracture.
A strong blow to the side of the head can fracture the crest of the cheekbone.
The iliac crest is the curved top edge of the pelvic bone that you can feel just below your waist.
- ridge
a more general term for any raised line on a bone
- prominence
a general medical term for any projecting part of a bone
用法筆記
Most commonly encountered in the term 'iliac crest' (the curved ridge of the pelvic bone). Other common anatomical crests include the 'sacral crest' and 'tibial crest.'
crest — verb
- crestpresent simple I / you / we / they
- crests3rd person singular
- cresting-ing form
- crestedpast simple
1. to arrive at or pass over the highest point of a hill, mountain, or wave after c
to arrive at or pass over the highest point of a hill, mountain, or wave after climbing upward
The car crested the hill and the driver saw the ocean for the first time.
The team of climbers crested the ridge just as the storm clouds gathered above.
As the boat crested each wave, the passengers held tight to the sides.
The runner crested the final slope and could hear the crowd cheering in the stadium below.
A young cyclist crested the long climb first and waved to the supporters waiting at the top.
- descend
to go down from a high point
文法句型
crest + object (hill/mountain/wave)
用法筆記
Strongly associated with physical movement through landscapes — hills, ridges, slopes, and waves. Not used for reaching the top of a building (use 'reach the top of' instead).
常見錯誤
2. of a wave, flood, or similar natural force, to build up and reach its highest le
of a wave, flood, or similar natural force, to build up and reach its highest level before beginning to fall again
The river crested at three metres above normal level after three days of heavy rain.
collocation: river crested at [height]
The floodwaters crested in the early morning and then slowly began to recede.
Meteorologists warned that the tide would crest at midnight, reaching dangerously high levels.
As the storm passed, the waves crested at over six metres, forcing boats to stay in the harbour.
The lake crested just below the top of the dam, and the engineers watched nervously through the night.
文法句型
crest (no object) — 'the river crested'
用法筆記
Always intransitive — the subject is the water or wave itself. Commonly used in news reports about floods and storms. Distinguish from sense 1 (transitive: 'crest a hill') where a person or vehicle is the subject and climbs over something.
常見錯誤
3. to put a decorative crest on top of something, such as a helmet, shield, or buil
to put a decorative crest on top of something, such as a helmet, shield, or building, especially as a mark of identity or honour
The blacksmith crested the knight's helmet with a golden eagle.
passive form often used: 'crested with'
The gate of the old palace was crested with the royal family's stone emblem.
Each wooden chair in the hall was crested with a small carved flower.
The silver cup was beautifully crested with the winner's name and the date of the race.
The architect designed a tower crested with four stone lions at each corner.
文法句型
crest + object + with + decoration
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive form 'crested with,' describing what the top decoration is. The active form 'to crest something with X' is very rare.