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crystal Definition

crys·tal (kris′təl)

noun

    1. a clear, transparent mineral; esp., pure quartz
    2. a piece of such quartz cut in the form of an ornament
    1. a very clear, brilliant glass
    2. articles made of this glass, such as goblets, bowls, or other ware
  3. ☆ the transparent protective covering over the face of a watch
  4. anything clear and transparent like crystal
  5. a solidified form of a substance in which the atoms or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern that is repeated regularly in three dimensions: crystals tend to develop forms bounded by definitely oriented plane surfaces that are harmonious with their internal structures
  6. Radio, Elec. a piezoelectric body or plate, as of quartz, used to control very precisely the frequency of an oscillator or as a circuit element in a crystal filter or a body, often of Rochelle salt, used in a transducer, as in a crystal pickup or microphone

Etymology: altered (modeled on L) < ME & OFr cristal, OE cristalla < L crystallum, crystal, ice < Gr krystallos < kryos: see crude

adjective

  1. of or composed of crystal
  2. like crystal; clear and transparent
  3. Radio of or using a crystal
Crystal Definition

Crys·tal (kris′təl)

noun

a feminine name

Etymology: see crystal

crystal Synonyms

crystal

modif.

limpid, lucid, pellucid; see clear 2, transparent 1.

crystal Synonyms

crystal

n.

quartz, clear quartz, sparkling gem, brilliant, cut glass, symmetrically faceted substance; see also diamond 1, gem 1, glass 1, jewel 1.

crystal Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • oxalate: Souder ( 1963 ) listed Agave vivipara as a plant containing saponin and stinging crystals of calcium oxalate.

Converse of object

  • deform: Note how the angle of the fracture surfaces mimics the angle of the slip planes in the deformed crystal.

Adjective modifier

  • sapphire: The Moon Phases model indicates its ' power reserve and has a sapphire crystal back.
  • photonic: The new devices are based on the physics of photonic bandgap crystals.
  • liquid: The liquid crystal or led digital display is 16mm high.
  • nematic: Bibliographic Information Some notes on the dynamics of nematic liquid crystals.
  • resistant: It has a gently curved scratch resistant sapphire crystal which to the front and steel back.
  • hexagonal: Hexagonal close packed crystals slip on 100 { 001 } slip systems.

Modifies a noun

  • meth: Doing crystal meth could bring previous mental health problems to the surface.
  • chandelier: There are also some nice drapes and crystal chandeliers - original as are the old clocks.
  • lattice: However, the dry solid still contains a significant quantity of solvent trapped in the crystal lattice.
  • ball: The answer I got was ' I don't have a crystal ball ' .
  • oscillator: The nearest approximation to the hypothetical clock analyzed would be a quartz crystal oscillator.
  • diffraction: The best way to find out the structure of a crystalline solid like a zeolite is to use single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Noun used with modifier

  • quartz: Now lie or sit down and close your eyes, take the clear quartz crystal in your hand.
  • sapphire: The crown is screwed down and it has a curved sapphire crystal, and mineral glass display back.
  • calcite: We have used molecular modeling methods to study the interfaces between calcite crystals and monolayers of stearic acid.
  • ice: Now for why the ice crystals remain in a vertical plane.
  • urate: If urate crystals can be seen in the fluid under a microscope, you have gout.
  • calcium: Glossary Calcification - deposits of calcium crystals in soft tissues.
crystal Quotes

In sculpture, did ever anybody call the Apollo a fancy piece? Or say of the Laocoo«  n how it might be made different? A masterpiece of art has in the mind a fixed place in the chain of being, as much as a plant or a crystal.

—Emerson, RalphWaldo

Crystal sincerity hath found no shelter but in a fool's cap.

—Hopkins, SirAnthony

   Yevtushenko has†an ego that can crack crystal at a distance of 20 feet.

—Cheever,JohnWilliam

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

—Bible (NewTestament)

   I hold my lady's head like a crystal and ossify myself by gazing: I am screes on her escarpments, a chalk giant carved upon her downs. Soon my hands, on the sunken fosse of her spine move towards the passes.

—Heaney, SeamusJustin