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English

crystal

|crys/tal|

B2

/ˈkrɪstl/

clear, structured solid

Etymology
Etymology Information

'crystal' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'krustallos,' where 'kruos' meant 'frost' and 'stalos' meant 'solid.'

Historical Evolution

'krustallos' transformed into the Latin word 'crystallum,' and eventually became the modern English word 'crystal' through Old French.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'ice' or 'frozen,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a clear, transparent mineral or glass.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a solid material whose atoms are arranged in a highly ordered, repeating pattern.

The snowflake is a natural crystal.

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Noun 2

a piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged plane faces.

She wore a necklace made of crystal.

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Adjective 1

clear and transparent like crystal.

The water in the lake was crystal clear.

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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35