crystallize

especially British, crys·tal·lise

[kris-tl-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

crystallized, crystallizing 

1. to form into crystals; cause to assume crystalline form.

2. to give definite or concrete form to.

   to crystallize an idea.

3. to coat with sugar.

verb (used without object)

crystallized, crystallizing 

1. to form crystals; become crystalline in form.

2. to assume definite or concrete form.

crystallize

/ ˈkrɪstəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to form or cause to form crystals; assume or cause to assume a crystalline form or structure

2. to coat or become coated with sugar

   crystallized fruit

3. 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

Other Word Forms

• crystallization noun
• crystallizer noun
• crystallizable adjective
• crystallizability noun
• noncrystallizable adjective
• noncrystallized adjective
• noncrystallizing adjective
• uncrystallizable adjective
• uncrystallized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crystallize¹

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

Example Sentences

To create this structure, the researchers heated a metastable form of sodium hydridoborate until it began to crystallize, then cooled it rapidly to lock the structure in place.

Read more on Science Daily

That expansion crystallizes the yearslong flow of credit outside the tightly regulated banking system and into riskier, more opaque businesses.

Read more on Barron's

Why did you feel the need to step up in this moment and how has your activism crystallized in your career as a comic?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Worthwhile documentaries crystallize a point in time in a way that contextualizes current circumstances.

Read more on Salon

Arguably the rise in small boat crossings since 2018 has been a major factor in crystallizing voters' concerns.

Read more on BBC