cress, crest, cresting

1. A crest is a figure placed on a wreath, coronet, or chapeau, borne above the shield and helmet in a coat of arms.

2. Finial.

3. Any plain or ornamental work, often perforated, running continuously in a horizontal direction, as on a canopy, ridge, screen, or wall, although brattishing is preferred for screens.

4. Bed of mortar in which ridge-tiles were set (probably the origin of the word creasing).

5. Cope, called a crest-table in the Middle Ages.

6. Battlement.