The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word CREST
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
C
R
E
S
T
More clues leading to the result CREST
- Spider perhaps found behind cold hilltop
- About to take it easy, reaching peak
- Top of a short run
- Top prop behind opening in curtain
- Crown represented in a coat of arms?
- In Paris, it’s protecting royal crown
- Summit conference’s opening before holiday
- Credit estimated shortly will be as high as possible
- Top research briefly featuring in court
- Take a break descending from cold summit
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "hilltop" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case hilltop = crest.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CREST mean?
CREST noun- The summit of a hill or mountain ridge.
- A tuft, or other natural ornament, growing on an animal's head, for example the comb of a cockerel, the swelling on the head of a snake, the lengthened feathers of the crown or nape of bird, etc.
- The plume of feathers, or other decoration, worn on or displayed on a helmet; the distinctive ornament of a helmet.
- A bearing worn, not upon the shield, but usually on a helmet above it, sometimes (as for clerics) separately above the shield or separately as a mark for plate, in letterheads, and the like.
- The upper curve of a horse's neck.
- The ridge or top of a wave.
- The helm or head, as typical of a high spirit; pride; courage.
- The ornamental finishing which surmounts the ridge of a roof, canopy, etc.
- The top line of a slope or embankment.
- A ridge along the surface of a bone.
- A design or logo, especially one of an institution, association or high-class family.
- Any of several birds in the family Regulidae, including the goldcrests and firecrests.
- Particularly with reference to waves, to reach a peak.
- To reach the crest of (a hill or mountain)
- To furnish with, or surmount as, a crest; to serve as a crest for.
- To mark with lines or streaks like waving plumes.