Origin: Latin suffix -al
Crystal has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
"The geologist carefully examined the quartz crystal, noting its perfect geometric shape which resulted from its orderly internal atomic arrangement."
a crystalline element used as a component in various electronic devices
"The technician replaced the damaged crystal oscillator to restore proper signal timing on the radio transmitter."
a rock formed by the solidification of a substance; has regularly repeating internal structure; external plane faces
"The geologist carefully examined the rough surface of the quartz crystal to identify its naturally occurring geometric planes."
colorless glass made of almost pure silica
"The ancient vase was crafted from clear crystal, allowing light to pass through without any distortion."
glassware made of quartz
"She carefully washed her favorite crystal goblets before setting them on the table for dinner."
a protective cover that protects the face of a watch
"He bought a new strap for his wristwatch because the original crystal had cracked after he dropped it on the sidewalk."
A solid composed of an array of atoms or molecules possessing long-range order and arranged in a pattern which is periodic in three dimensions.
"The physicist explained that when molten salt cools slowly, it forms a pure crystal where every ion occupies a precise position within the repeating atomic lattice."
In plain English: A crystal is a solid material where its atoms are arranged in a highly ordered, repeating pattern that gives it a distinct geometric shape.
"The clear crystal rang when she dropped it on the table."
Usage: Use crystal to describe a solid material with a highly ordered internal structure, such as quartz, diamond, or ice. Do not use it to refer to the clear glass often used in drinkingware, which is technically made of amorphous silica.
Very clear.
"The water was so crystal that we could see every pebble on the riverbed from the shore."
In plain English: Crystal describes something that is extremely clear and transparent, allowing you to see right through it.
"The glass window was made of clear crystal and let in plenty of sunlight."
Usage: Use "crystal" only when describing something that is exceptionally clear or transparent, such as crystal water or a crystal sky. Do not use it to mean merely clean or shiny, as that requires different adjectives like "pure" or "glossy."
A female given name from English.
"My neighbor named her daughter Crystal after the clear gemstone, and she always looks like a ray of sunshine."
The word crystal entered English from Latin crystallum and Ancient Greek krústallos, where it originally meant "clear ice." Its meaning shifted to refer specifically to the transparent mineral as people distinguished between frozen water and solid rock.