crustal
|crus-tal|
/ˈkrʌs.təl/
pertaining to a crust (outer layer)
Etymology
'crustal' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'crust' plus the suffix '-al', where the suffix '-al' meant 'pertaining to'.
'crust' changed from Old French 'crost(e)' and ultimately from Latin 'crusta' meaning 'rind, shell'; the adjective 'crustal' developed in modern English by adding '-al' to 'crust'.
Initially 'crusta' meant 'rind' or 'shell'; over time the sense shifted to denote the outer layer of the Earth or other bodies, leading to the modern meaning 'relating to the crust'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or of the Earth's crust or the crust of a planetary body; pertaining to the outermost solid layer.
Seismic surveys revealed crustal thinning beneath the mountain range.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
forming or resembling a crust; superficial or occurring at a crust-like layer.
A crustal layer of salt had formed on the soil after evaporation.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/13 03:14