the new moon, which, as it begins to recede from the sun, shows a little rim of light, terminating in points, called horns, that are still increasing, till it is in opposition to the sun, at which time it is full moon, or quite round.

in heraldry, a bearing in form of a new moon. See Plate LXV fig. 10.

It is used either as an honourable bearing, or as the difference to distinguish between elder and younger families; this being generally assigned to the second son, and those that descend from him. The figure of the crescent is the Turkish symbol, with its points looking towards the top of the chief, which is its most ordinary representation, called crescent montant. Crescents are said to be adossed, when their backs are turned towards each other; a crescent is said to be inverted, when when its points look towards the bottom; turned crescents have their points looking to the dexter side of the shield; cornuted crescents, to the sinister side; and affronted crescents, contrary to the adossed, have their points turned to each other.

**Crescent**, a term among farriers. Thus a horse is said to have crescents when that part of the coffin-bone, which is most advanced, falls down and presses the sole outwards, and the middle of her hoof above shrinks, and becomes flat, by reason of the hollowness beneath it.