Crystal
/ˈkrɪstəl/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA solid substance whose atoms form a regular repeating pattern.
nounA clear, highly polished glass or mineral.
Extra definitions
noun; adjectiveA regular solid structure.
noun; adjectiveA clear mineral.
noun; adjectiveExtremely clear or definite.
Sentence Examples
The cave contained a crystal.
She wore a crystal necklace.
The evidence was crystal clear.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
None
Word Origin & History
From Middle English crystal, cristal, criȝstall, representing a merger of Old English cristalla (from Latin crystallus) and Anglo-Norman cristall, Old French cristal (from Latin crystallum). The Latin is derived from Ancient Greek κρύσταλλος (krústallos, “clear ice”), from κρύος (krúos, “frost”), from Proto-Indo-European *krews- (“hard, hard outer surface, crust”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
“He tells me he's been shooting crystal, which I already pretty much know because he does not bother to keep his sleeves rolled down over the needle tracks.”
— 1968, Joan Didion, “Slouching Towards Bethlehem”, in Slouching Towards Bethlehem:
“Come, let's away. My loue, giue me thy Lippes: Looke to my Chattels, and my Moueables: [...] Goe, cleare they Chryſtalls. Yokefellowes in Armes, let vs to France”
— 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], page 75, column 2:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The cave contained a ____.