crown (redirected from complete crown)

crown, circular head ornament, symbolizing sovereign dignity. (For crowns worn by nobles, see coronet.) The use of the crown as a symbol of royal rank is of ancient tradition in Egypt and the Middle East. In ancient Greece and Rome, however, crowns—sometimes made of leaves—were merely wreaths, awarded to victors in athletic or poetic contests or bestowed on citizens in recognition of an act of public service. The crown as used in medieval and modern times is an elaboration of the diadem and is generally made of metal, often gold inlaid with precious gems. The crown became thoroughly identified with the functions of monarchy, and the term crown is often used in a purely institutional sense, as in crown lands, crown colonies, and crown debt. Among famous crowns of historic interest are the Lombard iron crown, kept at Monza, Italy; the crown of Charlemagne, at Vienna, Austria; and the sacred crown of St. Stephen of Hungary. These are exceptional in that they were used repeatedly over centuries for coronation ceremonies. Most crowns are of recent origin, although the jewels they contain are often taken from older crowns. The ancient crowns of England were destroyed under Oliver Cromwell. There are two crowns used by the British sovereigns: the crown of Edward the Confessor (a much-altered replica of the original crown) is used for the coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, and the imperial state crown is worn on state occasions. Crowns are also worn by the consorts and families of sovereigns. The triple crown of the popes, known as a tiara, dates from the 14th cent. Regardless of their actual shape, crowns are usually represented in heraldry as closed at the top by four arched bars called diadems and surmounted by a globe and a cross. In religion and art, a crown symbolizes sovereignty (Rev. 19.12) and also honor, especially the reward of martyrdom (Heb. 2.9).

---

crown

1. monarchy or kingship

2. 

a. History a coin worth 25 pence (five shillings)

b. any of several continental coins, such as the krona or krone, with a name meaning crown

3. the centre part of a road, esp when it is cambered

4. Botany

a. the leaves and upper branches of a tree

b. the junction of root and stem, usually at the level of the ground

c. another name for corona

5. Zoology

a. the cup and arms of a crinoid, as distinct from the stem

b. the crest of a bird

6. Dentistry

a. the enamel-covered part of a tooth above the gum

b. artificial crown a substitute crown, usually of gold, porcelain, or acrylic resin, fitted over a decayed or broken tooth

7. Nautical the part of an anchor where the arms are joined to the shank

8. Architecture the highest part of an arch or vault

---

Crown

1. the sovereignty or realm of a monarch

2. 

a. the government of a constitutional monarchy

b. (as modifier): Crown property

---

crown [krau̇n]

(anatomy)

The top of the skull.

The portion of a tooth above the gum.

(architecture)

A feature near the top of a terminal, such as the highest point of an arch.

(botany)

The topmost part of a plant or plant part.

corona

(civil engineering)

Center of a roadway elevated above the sides.

In plumbing, that part of a trap where the direction of flow changes from upward to horizontal or downward.

(engineering)

The part of a drill bit inset with diamonds.

The vertex of an arch or arched surface.

The top or dome of a furnace or kiln.

A high spot forming on a tool joint shoulder as the result of drill pipe wobbling.

(lapidary)

The portion of a faceted gem above the girdle.

(metallurgy)

That part of the sheet or roll where the thickness or diameter increases from edge to center.

(mining engineering)

A horizontal roof member of a timber up to 16 feet (4.9 meters) long and supported at each end by an upright.

---

crown

headpiece worn as symbol of royal authority. [Western Culture: Misc.]

See : Authority

---

Crown

a stevedore who deals with people by physical force. [Am. Lit.: Porgy, Magill I, 764–766]

See : Brutality