crystallize

[kris-tl-ahyz]

See more synonyms for crystallize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), crys·tal·lized, crys·tal·liz·ing.

to form into crystals; cause to assume crystalline form.
to give definite or concrete form to: to crystallize an idea.
to coat with sugar.

verb (used without object), crys·tal·lized, crys·tal·liz·ing.

to form crystals; become crystalline in form.
to assume definite or concrete form.

Also especially British, crys·tal·lise.

Origin of crystallize

First recorded in 1590–1600; crystall- + -ize

Related formscrys·tal·liz·a·bil·i·ty, nouncrys·tal·liz·a·ble, adjectivecrys·tal·liz·er, nounnon·crys·tal·liz·a·ble, adjectivenon·crys·tal·lized, adjectivenon·crys·tal·liz·ing, adjectiveun·crys·tal·liz·a·ble, adjectiveun·crys·tal·lized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for crystallize

Contemporary Examples of crystallize

For years, I wondered who had signed up for all of the slots, and eventually a character started to crystallize in my imagination.
Real Thrills And High Art In A Poignant Page-Turner Of A Novel
Susan Cheever
May 16, 2014
But with anger about cuts starting to crystallize, that might change.
The Left's Stealth Budget Plan
David A. Graham
April 27, 2011
And principles will not crystallize without debate—and certainly not by Monday.
Obama's Phony Bank Debate
Tunku Varadarajan
April 22, 2010

Historical Examples of crystallize

It is difficult to crystallize and hard to obtain in pure condition.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry
William McPherson
To speak of it would, however, seem to crystallize his feeling into a complaint.
Mistress Anne
Temple Bailey
Love will crystallize that Chinese legend into reality—for you and for Phil.
A Man of Two Countries
Alice Harriman
To "sugar off" is to boil the sirup until it is thick enough to crystallize into sugar.
Being a Boy
Charles Dudley Warner
Nor does he seem to crystallize into anything except sunburn.
The Cruise of the Snark
Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for crystallize

crystallize

crystalize, crystallise or crystalise

verb

to form or cause to form crystals; assume or cause to assume a crystalline form or structure
to coat or become coated with sugarcrystallized fruit
to give a definite form or expression to (an idea, argument, etc) or (of an idea, argument, etc) to assume a recognizable or definite form

Derived Formscrystallizable, crystalizable, crystallisable or crystalisable, adjectivecrystallizability, crystalizability, crystallisability or crystalisability, nouncrystallization, crystalization, crystallisation or crystalisation, nouncrystallizer, crystalizer, crystalliser or crystaliser, noun

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

Word Origin and History for crystallize

1590s, from crystal + -ize. Figurative use is from 1660s. Related: Crystallized; crystallizing.