crystal

crys•tal

[[t]ˈkrɪs tl[/t]] n.

1) cry a clear, transparent mineral or glass resembling ice

2) cry the transparent form of crystallized quartz

3) chem. a solid body having a characteristic internal structure and enclosed by symmetrically arranged plane surfaces, intersecting at definite and characteristic angles

4) cry a single grain or mass of a crystalline substance

5) cer glass of fine quality and a high degree of brilliance

6) cer glassware, esp. for the table and ornamental objects, made of such glass

7) hor the glass or plastic cover over the face of a watch

8) elo rtv a quartz crystal shaped to vibrate at a particular frequency, used to control the frequency of an oscillator

9) hlc med a piece of crystalline material thought to have or confer any of various special powers:

healing crystals[/ex]

10) pha sts Slang. any stimulant drug in solid form, as methamphetamine

11) cry of or composed of crystal

12) cry resembling crystal; clear; transparent

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Etymology: bef. 1000; ME cristal(le), OE cristalla < ML cristallum, L crystallum < Gk krýstallos clear ice, rock crystal, der. of krystaínein to freeze; see cryo-