crystalline

adjective

crys·​tal·​line ˈkri-stə-lən How to pronounce crystalline (audio)
 also  -ˌlīn,
-ˌlēn
1
: resembling crystal: such as
a
: strikingly clear or sparkling
crystalline air
a crystalline lake
b
2
: made of crystal : composed of crystals
3
: constituting or relating to a crystal
crystallinity noun

Examples of crystalline in a Sentence

we could see fish swimming beneath the crystalline ice of the frozen lake
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new alternatives boast reduced levels of crystalline silica, a mineral that can cause an incurable disease called silicosis if workers inhale tiny particles of dust from cutting and grinding stone. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 One man’s demise is accompanied not with geysers of gore but an explosion of red flower petals, another with the crystalline burst of a champagne bottle. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024 This idyllic south coast stretch features bright white sand that meets crystalline waters, against the backdrop of the majestic Morne Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 Amorphous silicon dioxide commonly occurs in foods and supplements, while crystalline silicon dioxide is generally found in industrial settings. Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crystalline 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cristallin, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin crystallinus, borrowed from Greek krystállinos, from krýstallos "clear ice, crystal entry 1" + -inos -ine entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crystalline was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near crystalline

Cite this Entry

“Crystalline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystalline. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

crystalline

adjective
crys·​tal·​line ˈkris-tə-lən How to pronounce crystalline (audio)
1
: clear or sparkling like crystal
crystalline drops of honey
2
: made of crystal or crystals
3
: of or relating to a crystal

Medical Definition

crystalline

adjective
crys·​tal·​line
ˈkris-tə-lən also -ˌlīn, -ˌlēn
1
: composed of or resembling crystals
2
a
: formed by crystallization : having regular arrangement of the atoms in a space lattice see amorphous sense 2
b
: having the internal structure though not necessarily the external form of a crystal
granite is only crystalline, while quartz crystal is perfectly crystallized
crystallinity noun
plural crystallinities

More from Merriam-Webster on crystalline

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