crystal
CRYSTAL, n. L. Gr., frost.
1. In chemistry and mineralogy, an inorganic body, which, by the operation of affinity, has assumed the form of a regular solid, terminated by a certain number of plane and smooth surfaces.
2. A factitious body, cast in glass houses, called crystal glass; a species of glass, more perfect in its composition and manufacture, than common glass. The best kind is the Venice crystal. It is called also factitious crystal or paste.
3. A substance of any kind having the form of a crystal.
4. The glass of a watch-case.
Rock crystal, or mountain crystal, a general name for all the transparent crystals of quartz, particularly of limpid or colorless quartz.
Iceland crystal, a variety of calcarious spar, or crystalized carbonate of lime, brought from Iceland. It occurs in laminated masses, easily divisible into rhombs, and is remarkable for its double refraction.
CRYSTAL, a. Consisting of crystal, or like crystal; clear; transparent; lucid; pellucid.
By crystal streams that murmur thorough the meads.
crystalization
CRYSTALIZATION, n. from crystalize.
1. The act or process by which the parts of a solid body, separated by the intervention of a fluid or by fusion, again coalesce or unite, and form a solid body. If the process is slow and undisturbed, the particles assume a regular arrangement, each substance taking a determinate and regular form, according to its natural laws; but if the process is rapid or disturbed, the substance takes an irregular form. This process is the effect of refrigeration or evaporation.
2. The mass or body formed by the process of crystalizing.
crystalize
CRYSTALIZE, v.t. To cause to form crystals.
Common salt is crystalized by the evaporation of sea water.
crystalized
CRYSTALIZED, pp. Formed into crystals.
crystalizing
CRYSTALIZING, ppr. Causing to crystalize; forming or uniting in crystals.