I. ˈkristəˌlȯid adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary crystall- + -oid; probably originally formed as French cristalloïde
: having some or all of the properties of crystal
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from crystalloid (I)
1. : a substance (as a salt or sugar) that forms a true solution, in solution diffuses readily through a membrane, and is capable of being crystallized — compare colloid
2. : one of the minute particles resembling crystals and consisting of protein that are found in certain cells especially of oily seeds (as the Brazil nut and castor bean) — called also protein crystal