crystalline

[kris-tl-in, -ahyn, -een] /ˈkrɪs tl ɪn, -ˌaɪn, -ˌin/
adjective
1.
of or like crystal; clear; transparent.
2.
formed by crystallization.
3.
composed of crystals.
4.
pertaining to crystals or their formation.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English cristal(l)yn(e) < Latin crystallinus < Greek krystállinos. See crystal, -ine1
Related forms
crystallinity
[kris-tl-in-i-tee] /ˌkrɪs tlˈɪn ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
multicrystalline, adjective
noncrystalline, adjective
precrystalline, adjective
pseudocrystalline, adjective
subcrystalline, adjective
uncrystalline, adjective
Examples from the web for crystalline
  • The clear: the crystalline or outermost heaven of the old cosmography.
  • Because of the way the atoms are linked, there are regular spaces between the crystalline buckyball molecules.
  • The crystalline structure of the beads endows the surface of each with an electrical charge that attracts dirt.
  • The difference in the crystal structures between these two minerals offers an idea of the diversity of crystalline forms.
  • Now researchers have engineered crystalline semiconductor specks to produce laser light far more easily than before.
  • The knife blades are made from the crystalline ceramic, zirconium, and should stay sharp ten times longer than a metal blade.
  • crystalline choreographic designs contributed to the clarity.
  • In one way or another, atoms of different elements are brought close together to form their crystalline lattices.
  • Purifying the silicon for crystalline solar cells requires heat, which typically comes from burning fossil fuels.
  • Evidently, the future is closer, cheaper and more crystalline than once believed.
British Dictionary definitions for crystalline

crystalline

/ˈkrɪstəˌlaɪn/
adjective
1.
having the characteristics or structure of crystals
2.
consisting of or containing crystals
3.
made of or like crystal; transparent; clear
Derived Forms
crystallinity (ˌkrɪstəˈlɪnɪtɪ) noun
Word Origin and History for crystalline
adj.

late 14c., from Old French cristalin "like crystal" (Modern French crystallin), from Latin crystallinus, from Greek krystallinos "of crystal," from krystallos (see crystal).

crystalline in Medicine

crystalline crys·tal·line (krĭs'tə-lĭn, -līn', -lēn')
adj.

  1. Being, relating to, or composed of crystal or crystals.

  2. Resembling crystal, as in transparency or distinctness of structure or outline.

crystalline in Science
crystal
  (krĭs'təl)   

  1. A homogenous solid formed by a repeating, three-dimensional pattern of atoms, ions, or molecules and having smooth external surfaces with characteristic angles between them. Crystals can occur in many sizes and shapes. ◇ The particular arrangement in space of these atoms, molecules, or ions, and the way in which they are joined, is called a crystal lattice. There are seven crystal groups or systems. Each is defined on the basis of the geometrical arrangement of the crystal lattice.

    1. A natural or synthetic material, such as quartz or ceramic, that consists of such crystals. When subjected to mechanical stresses, crystalline materials can generate an electric charge or, when subjected to an electric field, they can generate mechanical vibrations in what is known as the piezoelectric effect.

    2. An electrical device, such as an oscillator or a diode used for detecting radio signals, made of such a material.


crystalline adjective