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crystalline

[kris-tl-in, -ahyn, -een]
adjective
  1. of or like crystal; clear; transparent.
  2. formed by crystallization.
  3. composed of crystals.
  4. pertaining to crystals or their formation.
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Origin of crystalline

1350–1400; Middle English cristal(l)yn(e) < Latin crystallinus < Greek krystállinos. See crystal, -ine1
Related formscrys·tal·lin·i·ty [kris-tl-in-i-tee] /ˌkrɪs tlˈɪn ɪ ti/, nounmul·ti·crys·tal·line, adjectivenon·crys·tal·line, adjectivepre·crys·tal·line, adjectivepseu·do·crys·tal·line, adjectivesub·crys·tal·line, adjectiveun·crys·tal·line, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for non-crystalline

Historical Examples

  • It occurs both in a crystalline and amorphous form, the latter, or non-crystalline kind, being extensively used for lead-pencils.

    Geology

    James Geikie

  • Small globules appear (globulites), spherical and non-crystalline (so far as can be ascertained).

  • Carbon in the organic world, where it plays such an important part, is non-crystalline.

    The Breath of Life

    John Burroughs

  • Its characteristic flocculent, non-crystalline nature is plainly evident when examined under the microscope.

  • The plates do become sulphated, but the sulphate remains in the porous, non-crystalline state in which it forms.

British Dictionary definitions for non-crystalline

crystalline

adjective
  1. having the characteristics or structure of crystals
  2. consisting of or containing crystals
  3. made of or like crystal; transparent; clear
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Derived Formscrystallinity (ˌkrɪstəˈlɪnɪtɪ), 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 non-crystalline

crystalline

adj.

late 14c., from Old French cristalin "like crystal" (Modern French crystallin), from Latin crystallinus, from Greek krystallinos "of crystal," from krystallos (see crystal).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
non-crystalline in Medicine

crystalline

(krĭs′tə-lĭn, -līn′, -lēn′)
adj.
  1. Being, relating to, or composed of crystal or crystals.
  2. Resembling crystal, as in transparency or distinctness of structure or outline.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.