what does crested mean

“Crested” is an adjective that usually means “having a crest” — a raised tuft, ridge, or decorative top, especially on an animal’s head or on an object.

Main meanings of “crested”

• A crested bird has a noticeable tuft or “cap” of feathers on its head, like a great crested grebe or a crested cockatoo.

• A crested animal or helmet can have a plume or ornamental ridge on top (for example, a warrior’s helmet with a feathered top).

• Crested stationery or clothing means it’s marked with a family, school, or organization’s crest or emblem, such as crested notepaper or a crested navy jacket.

• As a verb form (past tense of “crest”), “crested” can mean “reached the top,” as in “The ship crested a wave” or “The level of debt crested at a massive 290 billion.”

So in everyday use, if something is described as “crested,” it either literally has a tuft or ridge on top, or it figuratively has reached the top of something, or it carries a symbolic crest or badge.