CRYSTALLINE


Meaning of CRYSTALLINE in English

ˈkristələ̇n, -ˌlīn sometimes -ˌlēn, archaic kriˈstal- adjective

Etymology: Middle English cristallin, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French cristallin, from Latin crystallinus, from Greek krystallinos, from krystallos ice, crystal + -inos -ine — more at crust

1. : made of crystal

2. : resembling crystal: as

a. : transparent , pure , pellucid

the crystalline sky — John Milton

b. : clear-cut

crystalline sharpness of outline — John Buchan

3.

a. : of the nature of or relating to a crystal : formed by crystallization : having regular arrangement of the atoms in a space lattice — opposed to amorphous

b. : having the internal structure though not necessarily the external form of a crystal

granite is only crystalline , while quartz crystal is perfectly crystallized

4. of rock : composed of crystals or fragments of crystals

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.