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Webster 1913 Edition

Cresset

Cres′set

(kr?s′s?t)
,
Noun.
[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 a beacon; an open lamp or firrepan carried on a pole in nocturnal processions.
Starry lamps and blazing
cressets
, fed
With naphtha and asphaltus.
Milton.
As a
cresset
true that darts its length
Of beamy luster from a tower of strength.
Wordsworth.
2.
(Coopering)
A small furnace or iron cage to hold fire for charring the inside of a cask, and making the staves flexible.
Knight.

Webster 1828 Edition

Cresset

CRESSET

,
Noun.
[See Cross.]
1.
A great light set on a beacon, lighthouse, or watch tower.
2.
A lamp or torch.

Definition 2024

cresset

cresset

English

Noun

cresset ‎(plural cressets)

  1. A metal cup, suspended from a pole and filled with burning pitch etc; once used as portable illumination.
    • Milton
      Starry lamps and blazing cressets, fed / With naphtha and asphaltus.
    • Wordsworth
      As a cresset true that darts its length / Of beamy lustre from a tower of strength.
  2. (coopering) A small furnace or iron cage to hold fire for charring the inside of a cask, and making the staves flexible.
    • Dante
      We reached the lofty turret's base, our eyes / its height ascended, where we marked uphung / two cressets and another saw from far
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Knight to this entry?)

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Anagrams

Etymology

Old French crasset, cresset ‎(“sort of lamp or torch”); perhaps of Old Dutch or Old High German origin, and akin to English cruse, French creuset ‎(“crucible”).

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