cryptocrystalline
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/ˌkrɪptoʊkrɪˈstælɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˌkrɪptəʊkrɪˈstælɪn/
hidden/very fine crystals
Etymology
'cryptocrystalline' originates from Greek and Latin-derived elements: the prefix 'crypto-' from Greek 'kryptos' meaning 'hidden' and 'crystalline' from Latin/Greek 'crystallinus'/'krystallos' meaning 'crystal'.
'cryptocrystalline' formed in scientific usage by combining the prefix 'crypto-' with the adjective 'crystalline' in modern mineralogical and petrological literature (19th–20th century), creating a compound describing 'hidden' or very fine crystals.
Initially constructed to convey the idea of 'hidden crystals' (literally 'hidden-crystalline'); over time it has been used more generally in geology and materials science to describe textures composed of crystals too small to be seen by ordinary optical methods.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
composed of crystals so minute that individual crystals are not visible under an ordinary light microscope; having a very fine-grained crystalline texture.
The basalt has a cryptocrystalline groundmass that can only be resolved with electron microscopy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/04 03:27