crystal

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A clear, solid mineral form with a regular geometric shape; high-quality clear glass.

   The wine glasses were made of fine crystal.

2. 2
   adj

   Completely clear and easy to understand.

   His instructions were crystal clear.

3. 3
   noun

   The transparent cover that protects the face of a watch.

   The watch crystal cracked when he dropped it.

From Middle English crystal, cristal, criȝstall, from Old English cristalla (“crystal”), a borrowing from Latin crystallum (“crystal, ice”) (later reinforced from Anglo-Norman cristall and Middle French cristal, from Latin crystallum), from Ancient Greek κρύσταλλος (krústallos, “clear ice”), from κρύος (krúos, “frost”), from Proto-Indo-European *krews- (“hard, hard outer surface, crust”).

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