in decrement

English

Phrase

in decrement

1. (heraldry, of a moon) Waning.
   • 1664, John Guillim, A Display of Heraldrie, page 238:

     It is an observation amongst Fishermen, that when the Moon is in her Decrement or Wane (as we commonly call it) these  […]

   • 1921, Sir Bernard Burke, A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain, page 750:

     […] Crest - A fawn's head holding in its mouth a moon in its decrement and gorged with a wreath of pears slipped on the  […]

   • 1992, Donald R. Mandich, Joseph Anthony Placek, Russian Heraldry and Nobility, Dramco:

     LUKIN -2- A : Argent, on a bendlet thrice embattled gules, masoned sable, three crescent moons in their decrement in bend Or. […] […] between fesswise a crescent moon in her increment and one in her decrement argent.

Usage notes

• Do not confuse with a moon in its detriment, which is one entirely darkened or eclipsed.

Antonyms

• in increment

Coordinate terms

• decrescent, increscent, crescent