crystal

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkrɪst(ə)l/

noun

  • 1a piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged plane faces: a quartz crystal ice crystals formed where his breath froze
  • Chemistry any solid consisting of a symmetrical, ordered, three-dimensional aggregation of atoms or molecules.
  • Electronics a crystalline piece of semiconductor used as an oscillator or transducer.
  • [mass noun] a clear transparent mineral, especially quartz: cups cut from crystal
  • a piece of crystalline substance believed to have healing powers.
  • 2 (also crystal glass) [mass noun] highly transparent glass with a high refractive index: [as modifier]: a crystal chandelier
  • articles made of crystal glass: a collection of crystal
  • [count noun] the glass over a watch face.
  • 3 [as modifier] clear and transparent like crystal: the clean crystal waters of the lake

Phrases

crystal clear

completely transparent and unclouded: careful restoration work had turned the once polluted waters of the river crystal clear
unambiguous; easily understood: the house rules are crystal clear

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 century