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.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Crystal came into Old English through French or Latin and ultimately derives from Greek krustallos, meaning “ice” or “crystal.” It first denoted ice or an ice-like mineral; its scientific use in chemistry began in the early 17th century.

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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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary