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Synonyms

crystalline

American  
[kris-tl-in, -ahyn, -een] / ˈkrɪs tl ɪn, -ˌaɪn, -ˌin /

adjective

  1. of or like crystal; clear; transparent.

  2. formed by crystallization.

  3. composed of crystals.

  4. pertaining to crystals or their formation.


crystalline British  
/ ˈkrɪstəˌlaɪn, ˌkrɪstəˈlɪnɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. having the characteristics or structure of crystals

  2. consisting of or containing crystals

  3. made of or like crystal; transparent; clear

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • crystallinity noun
  • multicrystalline adjective
  • noncrystalline adjective
  • precrystalline adjective
  • pseudocrystalline adjective
  • subcrystalline adjective
  • uncrystalline adjective

Etymology

Origin of crystalline

1350–1400; Middle English cristal ( l ) yn ( e ) < Latin crystallinus < Greek krystállinos. See crystal, -ine 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Hunter is unquestionably among the first tier of American playwrights, and his crystalline works are bountiful gifts to actors, in this case particularly the superlative Paul Sparks.

From The Wall Street Journal

“She sang it so beautifully. And her voice was so crystalline and gorgeous.”

From Los Angeles Times

The newly recognized structure has been named Ice XXI, making it the 21st crystalline form of ice.

From Science Daily

"It's a big old cheese -- there's a lot going on. The texture is beautiful: it's flinty as you break it apart; the crystalline in there are so delicate," he said.

From Barron's

Jamaican officials said around 25,000 tourists were in the country, famed for its normally crystalline waters.

From Barron's