crystallize

(kristəl īz′)

transitive verb crystallized, crystallizing

  1. to cause to form crystals or take on a crystalline structure
  2. to give a definite form to
  3. to coat with sugar

intransitive verb

  1. to become crystalline in form
  2. to take on a definite form: their customs crystallized into law

Related Forms:

See crystallize in American Heritage Dictionary 4

crys·tal·lize also crys·tal·ize

verb crystallized crys·tal·lized also crys·tal·ized, crystallizing crys·tal·liz·ing also crys·tal·iz·ing, crys·tal·liz·es also crys·tal·iz·es
verb, transitive
  1. To cause to form crystals or assume a crystalline structure.
  2. To give a definite, precise, and usually permanent form to: The scientists finally crystallized their ideas about the role of the protein.
  3. To coat with crystals, as of sugar.
verb, intransitive
  1. To assume a crystalline form.
  2. To take on a definite, precise, and usually permanent form.

Related Forms:

  • crysˈtal·lizˌer noun

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