/ ˈkrɪstl; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] a small piece of a substance with many even sides, that is formed naturally when the substance becomes solid :
ice / salt crystals
2.
[ U , C ] a clear mineral, such as quartz , used in making jewellery and decorative objects :
a pair of crystal earrings
3.
[ U ] glass of very high quality :
a crystal chandelier / vase
4.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) a piece of glass or plastic that covers the face of a watch
—see also liquid crystal display
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WORD ORIGIN
late Old English (denoting ice or a mineral resembling it), from Old French cristal , from Latin crystallum , from Greek krustallos ice, crystal. The chemistry sense dates from the early 17th cent.