Cr.

1. Abbr. cr. Music

   1. A gradual increase, especially in the volume or intensity of sound in a passage.

   2. A passage played with a gradual increase in volume or intensity.

   3. A steady increase in intensity or force: "insisted [that] all paragraphs ... should be structured as a crescendo rising to a climactic last sentence" (Henry A. Kissinger).

   4. Usage Problem The climactic point or moment after such a progression: "The attacks ... began in December ... and reached a crescendo during [the president's] September visit" (Foreign Affairs).

2. 1. A steady increase in intensity or force: "insisted [that] all paragraphs ... should be structured as a crescendo rising to a climactic last sentence" (Henry A. Kissinger).

   2. Usage Problem The climactic point or moment after such a progression: "The attacks ... began in December ... and reached a crescendo during [the president's] September visit" (Foreign Affairs).

Usage Note: Crescendo is sometimes used by reputable speakers and writers to denote a climax or peak, as in noise level, rather than an increase. Although citational evidence over time attests to widespread currency, it is difficult for anyone acquainted with the technical musical sense of crescendo to use it to mean "a peak." Fifty-five percent of the Usage Panel rejected it in the sentence When the guard sank a three-pointer to tie the game, the noise of the crowd reached a crescendo.

1. An ornamental circlet or head covering, often made of precious metal set with jewels and worn as a symbol of sovereignty.

2. often Crown

   1. The power, position, or empire of a monarch or of a state governed by constitutional monarchy.

   2. The monarch as head of state.

   3. A coin stamped with a crown or crowned head on one side.

   4. Abbr. cr. A silver coin formerly used in Great Britain and worth five shillings.

   5. Any one of several coins, such as the koruna, the krona, or the krone, having a name that means "crown."

   6. The top or highest part of the head.

   7. The head itself.

   8. The part of a tooth that is covered by enamel and projects beyond the gum line.

   9. An artificial substitute for the natural crown of a tooth.

   10. The upper part of a tree, which includes the branches and leaves.

   11. The part of a plant, usually at ground level, where the stem and roots merge.

   12. The persistent, mostly underground base of a perennial herb.

   13. See corona.

3. A distinction or reward for achievement, especially a title signifying championship in a sport.

4. Something resembling a diadem in shape.

5. 1. A coin stamped with a crown or crowned head on one side.

   2. Abbr. cr. A silver coin formerly used in Great Britain and worth five shillings.

   3. Any one of several coins, such as the koruna, the krona, or the krone, having a name that means "crown."

   4. The top or highest part of the head.

   5. The head itself.

   6. The part of a tooth that is covered by enamel and projects beyond the gum line.

   7. An artificial substitute for the natural crown of a tooth.

   8. The upper part of a tree, which includes the branches and leaves.

   9. The part of a plant, usually at ground level, where the stem and roots merge.

   10. The persistent, mostly underground base of a perennial herb.

   11. See corona.

6. 1. The top or highest part of the head.

   2. The head itself.

   3. The part of a tooth that is covered by enamel and projects beyond the gum line.

   4. An artificial substitute for the natural crown of a tooth.

   5. The upper part of a tree, which includes the branches and leaves.

   6. The part of a plant, usually at ground level, where the stem and roots merge.

   7. The persistent, mostly underground base of a perennial herb.

   8. See corona.

7. The top or upper part of a hat.

8. The highest point or summit.

9. The highest, primary, or most valuable part, attribute, or state: considered the rare Turkish stamp the crown of their collection.

10. Dentistry

    1. The part of a tooth that is covered by enamel and projects beyond the gum line.

    2. An artificial substitute for the natural crown of a tooth.

    3. The upper part of a tree, which includes the branches and leaves.

    4. The part of a plant, usually at ground level, where the stem and roots merge.

    5. The persistent, mostly underground base of a perennial herb.

    6. See corona.

11. Nautical The lowest part of an anchor, where the arms are joined to the shank.

12. Architecture The highest portion of an arch, including the keystone.

13. Botany

    1. The upper part of a tree, which includes the branches and leaves.

    2. The part of a plant, usually at ground level, where the stem and roots merge.

    3. The persistent, mostly underground base of a perennial herb.

    4. See corona.

14. The crest of an animal, especially of a bird.

15. The portion of a cut gem above the girdle.

1. To put a crown or garland on the head of.

2. To invest with regal power; enthrone.

3. To confer honor, dignity, or reward upon.

4. To surmount or be the highest part of.

5. To form the crown, top, or chief ornament of.

6. To bring to completion or successful conclusion; consummate: crowned the event with a lavish reception.

7. Dentistry To put a crown on (a tooth).

8. Games To make (a piece in checkers that has reached the last row) into a king by placing another piece upon it.

9. Informal To hit on the head.