cresc

/K R EH1 S K/
noun
  1. 1

    An instruction to play gradually more loudly, denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left ( < ), by musicians called a hairpin.

  2. 2

    A gradual increase of anything, especially to a dramatic climax.

    Their fighting rose in a fearsome crescendo.

  3. 3

    The climax of a gradual increase.

    Their arguing rose to a fearsome crescendo.

Source: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cresc, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/crescendo