Multicrested

Multicrested is a descriptive term used in English to indicate the presence of multiple crest-like projections or formations on a single object or organism. It combines multi-, meaning many, with crested, and is usually used as an adjective, though it can appear in note-taking as a noun in some contexts. The word is mainly a descriptive label rather than a formal taxonomic category.

In biology and paleontology, multicrested describes specimens with more than one cranial, dorsal, or integumentary crest. The term helps communicators discuss morphology, display structures, or developmental variation without implying a specific lineage. In botany, multicrested can refer to leaves, bracts, or inflorescences that exhibit several crest-like ridges or projections along margins or surfaces. In architecture or landscape design, the term may characterize features such as roofs or skylines that display multiple crest lines or ridge forms rather than a single pronounced crest.

Usage of multicrested is not standardized across disciplines, so its meaning can depend on context. Writers typically define what constitutes a crest in their study and note how many crests are present, their locations, and how they differ from related forms. As a largely descriptive label, multicrested serves to convey complex crest morphology succinctly while avoiding premature taxonomic conclusions.

See also: crest, crested, polycrest.