Definitions for: Crystal


[n] a protective cover that protects the face of a watch
[n] glassware made of quartz
[n] a crystalline element used as a component in various electronic devices
[n] a rock formed by the solidification of a substance; has regularly repeating internal structure; external plane faces
[n] colorless glass made of almost pure silica
[n] a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure



Webster (1913) Definition: Crys"tal (kr?s"tal), n. [OE. cristal, F. cristal, L.
crystallum crystal, ice, fr. Gr. ????, fr. ???? icy cold,
frost; cf. AS. crystalla, fr. L. crystallum; prob. akin to E.
crust. See Crust, Raw.]
1. (Chem. & Min.) The regular form which a substance tends to
assume in solidifying, through the inherent power of
cohesive attraction. It is bounded by plane surfaces,
symmetrically arranged, and each species of crystal has
fixed axial ratios. See Crystallization.

2. The material of quartz, in crystallization transparent or
nearly so, and either colorless or slightly tinged with
gray, or the like; -- called also rock crystal.
Ornamental vessels are made of it. Cf. Smoky quartz,
Pebble; also Brazilian pebble, under Brazilian.

3. A species of glass, more perfect in its composition and
manufacture than common glass, and often cut into
ornamental forms. See Flint glass.

4. The glass over the dial of a watch case.

5. Anything resembling crystal, as clear water, etc.

The blue crystal of the seas. --Byron.

Blood crystal. See under Blood.

Compound crystal. See under Compound.

Iceland crystal, a transparent variety of calcite, or
crystallized calcium carbonate, brought from Iceland, and
used in certain optical instruments, as the polariscope.


Rock crystal, or Mountain crystal, any transparent
crystal of quartz, particularly of limpid or colorless
quartz.


Crys"tal, a.
Consisting of, or like, crystal; clear; transparent; lucid;
pellucid; crystalline.

Through crystal walls each little mote will peep.
--Shak.

By crystal streams that murmur through the meads.
--Dryden.

The crystal pellets at the touch congeal, And from the
ground rebounds the ratting hail. --H. Brooks.

Synonyms: crystallization, lechatelierite, quartz, quartz glass, vitreous silica, watch crystal, watch glass

See Also: component, constituent, crystal counter, crystal detector, crystal microphone, crystal pickup, crystallite, diamond dust, element, flake, frost mist, frost snow, gem, gemstone, glassware, glasswork, ice, ice crystal, ice needle, natural glass, piezoelectric crystal, poudrin, protection, protective cover, protective covering, rock, snow mist, snowflake, solid, stone, stone, ticker, watch, water ice

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals starting with c
animals beginning with s
v letter animals