crystallize

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word crystallize. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word crystallize, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say crystallize in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word crystallize you have here. The definition of the word crystallize will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofcrystallize, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From crystal +‎ -ize.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkɹɪstəlaɪz/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Verb

crystallize (third-person singular simple present crystallizes, present participle crystallizing, simple past and past participle crystallized)

  1. (transitive) (chemistry, physics) to make something form into crystals
    I crystallized the copper sulfate by slowly cooling a saturated solution.
  2. (intransitive) to assume a crystalline form
    The copper sulphate crystallized from solution.
  3. (transitive) to give something a definite or precise form
    After some thought, I crystallized my ideas for the paper.
  4. (intransitive) to take a definite form
    My ideas crystallized overnight.
    • 1957, Patrick White, chapter 12, in Voss:
      The situation did crystallize, if painfully, under the stars, and by morning each knew what he must confess.
  5. (transitive) to coat something with crystals, especially with sugar
    We crystallized the fruit by coating in sugar.

Derived terms

Translations