| 释义 |
decrescent, a. and n.|dɪˈkrɛsənt|
Also 7–8 decressant.
[ad. L. dēcrēscent-em, pr. pple. of dēcrēscĕre to decrease: see -ent. For the earlier spelling, cf. crescent.]
A. adj. Decreasing, growing gradually less. Chiefly of the moon: Waning, in her decrement; in Her. represented with the horns towards the sinister side. In Bot. applied to organs which decrease gradually from the base upwards.
1610J. Guillim Heraldry iii. iii. (1660) 111 He beareth Azure, a Moon decressant Proper. 1674S. Jeake Arith. i. (1696) 30 Then draw the Decrescent Lunular, or Separatrix. 1727–51Chambers Cycl. s.v. Decrement, The moon looking to the left side of the escutcheon is always supposed to be decressant. 1811Pinkerton Petral. II. 167 A dozen specimens, which presented a decrescent progression, with regard to the size of the grain. 1872Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 518 Between the increscent and decrescent moon.
B. n. The moon in her decrement or wane: used in Her. as a bearing. (Opposed to increscent.)
1616Bullokar, Decressant, the Moone in the last quarter. 1620Feltham Resolves xxviii. (1st ed.) 88 Thus while he sinnes, he is a Decressant; when he repents, a Cressant. 1691Lond. Gaz. No. 2674/4 A Cross Moline between 2 Increscents and 2 Decrescents. 1851J. B. Hume Poems, Glenfinlas 162 The wan decrescent's slanting beams. |