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crystalline

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crys⋅tal⋅line

[kris-tl-in, -ahyn, -een]
–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; ME cristal(l)yn(e) < L crystallinus < Gk krystállinos. See crystal, -ine 1


crys⋅tal⋅lin⋅i⋅ty [kris-tl-in-i-tee] , noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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.


[Middle English cristallin, from Old French, from Latin crystallinus, from Greek krustallinos, from krustallos, ice, crystal; see kreus- in Indo-European roots.]
crys'tal·lin'i·ty (-lĭn'ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: crys·tal·line
Pronunciation: 'kris-t&-l&n also -"lIn, -"lEn
Function: adjective
1 : composed of orresembling crystals
2 a : formed by crystallization : having regular arrangement of the atoms in a space lattice —see AMORPHOUS 2 b : having the internal structure though not necessarily the external form of a crystal crystalline, while quartz crystal is perfectly crystallized> —crys·tal·lin·i·ty /"kris-t&-'lin-&t-E/ noun plural -ties
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

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.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
crystal   (krĭs'təl)  Pronunciation Key 


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  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
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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