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Gibbous vs Crescent - What's the difference?

gibbous | crescent |

As adjectives the difference between gibbous and crescent

is that gibbous is characterized by convexity; protuberant while crescent is marked by an increase; waxing, like the Moon.

As a noun crescent is

the figure of the moon as it appears in its first or last quarter, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.

As a verb crescent is

to form into a crescent, or something resembling a crescent.

gibbous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Characterized by convexity; protuberant.
  • *1886 , Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge ,
  • *:In fact, what these gibbous human shapes specially represented was ready money—money insistently ready [...]
  • (astronomy) Phase of moon or planet between first quarter and full or between full and last quarter.
  • Humpbacked.
  • *1697 , Dryden, Aeneid ,
  • *:A pointed flinty rock, all bare and black,
  • *:Grew gibbous from behind the mountain's back;

    • Derived terms

    * gibbous moon

    crescent

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The figure of the moon as it appears in its first or last quarter, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.
  • Something shaped like a crescent, especially:
  • # A curved pastry.
  • # A curved street, often presenting a continuous façade, as of row houses.
  • (Islam) A representation of the symbol used by Islamic caliphates
  • (NZ) A crescent spanner.
  • (historical) Any of three orders of knighthood conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services.
  • (heraldiccharge) The emblem of the waxing Moon with horns directed upward, when used in a coat of arms; often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants.
  • A crescentspot butterfly.

    • Derived terms

    * crescent roll * Fertile Crescent

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (dated, rare) marked by an increase; waxing, like the Moon.
  • * Tennyson
    • O, I see the crescent promise of my spirit hath not set.
  • Shaped like a crescent.
  • * Milton
    • Astarte, queen of heaven, with crescent horns.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To form into a crescent, or something resembling a crescent.
  • *
  • To adorn with crescents.
    • (Webster 1913) ----