crestfallen etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: crestfallen, from
  • Old English: crist+fallen, meaning "fallen in spirit"
• Crist: from Latin "crista," meaning "crest"
• Fallen: past participle of "fall," meaning "to descend"

Meaning:

Crestfallen means "dispirited, discouraged, or dejected." It literally refers to a person whose crest (the top of the head or helmet) has fallen.

Origin:

The term "crestfallen" originally referred to a knight whose helmet had been knocked off in battle. This was considered a sign of defeat and shame, as the loss of a helmet exposed the knight's head to injury. Over time, the term came to be used more figuratively to describe anyone who had suffered a setback or disappointment.

Examples:

• "The team was crestfallen after losing the championship game."
• "She was crestfallen when she didn't get the job she wanted."
• "His hopes were crestfallen when the deal fell through."

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