cresset

Cresset — Cres set (kr?s s?t), n. [OF. crasset, cresset, sort of lamp or torch; perh. of Dutch or German origin, and akin to E. cruse, F. creuset crucible, E. crucible.] 1. An open frame or basket of iron, filled with combustible material, to be burned as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

cresset — [kres′it] n. [ME < OFr craisset < craisse: see GREASE] a metal container for burning oil, wood, etc., fastened as to a pole or wall and used as a torch or lantern …   English World dictionary

Cresset — A container of light giving oil or coals; often suspended from a pole. [< OldFr. cresset < craisse = grease, oil] …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

cresset — n. hist. a metal container for oil, coal, etc., lighted and usu. mounted on a pole for illumination. Etymology: ME f. OF cresset, craisset, f. craisse = graisse GREASE …   Useful english dictionary

cresset — noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French, from creisse, gresse grease more at grease Date: 14th century an iron vessel or basket used for holding an illuminant (as oil) and mounted as a torch or suspended as a lantern …   New Collegiate Dictionary

cresset — /kres it/, n. a metal cup or basket often mounted on a pole or suspended from above, containing oil, pitch, a rope steeped in rosin, etc., burned as a light or beacon. [1325 75; ME < AF, OF craisset, equiv. to cras GREASE + et ET] * * * …   Universalium

cresset — noun A metal cup, suspended from a pole and filled with burning pitch etc; once used as portable illumination …   Wiktionary

cresset — see GREASE …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

cresset — n. torch, type of flare lamp, oil lamp …   English contemporary dictionary

cresset — [ krɛsɪt] noun historical a metal container of oil, grease, wood, or coal set alight for illumination and typically mounted on a pole. Origin ME: from OFr., from craisse, var. of graisse oil, grease …   English new terms dictionary

cresset — cres·set …   English syllables