Emily Dickinson Lexicon

crescent, n. [ME cressant < L. crēscěre, grow, increase.] (webplay: gold, half, king, moon, name, power, rim, sun).

1. Dome; sky; horizon; arch of atmosphere; visible section of the earth's curve; portion of the heavenly circumference that surrounds the world; [fig.] horoscope; time frame; temporal zone of humans on earth and constellations in space; [metaphor] domain above the grave where the moon waxes and wanes.
2. Partial form; lesser light; [fig.] lesser potential.
3. Wave; ripple; ridge; crest; undulation; [fig.] moment; short period of time.
4. Light source; [fig.] face; countenance; [metaphor] appearance; presence.
5. Sliver of light; [fig.] belief; particle of faith; mortal perception of Deity.
6. Waxing or waning moon; smaller portion of moonlight; [fig.] incompleteness; restrictedness; fraction of the possibilities; part of a larger whole.
7. Fraction; curve; [fig.] petal; pollen receptacle; delicate part of a flower; [metaphor] opportunity for intimate contact.
8. Flag; standard; ensign; [fig.] face; head; [metonymy] physical body; mortal frame; shell of existence; resemblance of who a person once was.
9. Piece; bit; whit; tiny amount; small part of a larger whole that once existed; [fig.] memory; remnant; remainder.
10. Growth cycle; [fig.] returning season.