Growing or developing around something; characterized by growth that surrounds or encompasses another structure.
From Latin circum (around) + crescens (growing), the present participle of crescere. The adjective form describes the ongoing or characteristic state of growing around something.
A circumcrescent moon—growing around a central point—is a poetic way to describe lunar phases, and this term was beloved by medieval astronomers who saw the moon as the celestial example of growth returning around to its origin.
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