crystallize

crystallize
UK [ˈkrɪstəlaɪz] / US [ˈkrɪst(ə)lˌaɪz] verb [intransitive/transitive]
Word forms "crystallize":
present tense I/you/we/they crystallize he/she/it crystallizes present participle crystallizing past tense crystallized past participle crystallized
1) chemistry to change into crystals, or to make something change into crystals

Ice had crystallized on the window pane overnight.

2) to become definite or easily understood, or to make something definite or easily understood

It was her trips to South and Central America that crystallized her desire to work on environmental issues.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • crystallize — crys‧tal‧lize [ˈkrɪstəlaɪz] also crystallise verb [transitive] FINANCE BANKING crystallize a gain/​loss to obtain or lose an amount of money; = REALIZE: • T …   Financial and business terms

  • crystallize — crys tal*lize, v. i. To be converted into a crystal; to take on a crystalline form, through the action of crystallogenic or cohesive attraction; to precipitate from a solution in the form of crystals. [1913 Webster +PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Crystallize — Crys tal*lize (kr[i^]s tal*l[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Crystallized} ( l[imac]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Crystallizing}.] [Cf. F. cristalliser. See {Crystal}.] To cause to form crystals, or to assume the crystalline form. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • crystallize — I verb accumulate, amalgamate, arrange itself, assume a pattern, assume definite characteristics, be solid, become a reality, become definite, become delineated, become firm, become settled, become solid, become visible, bring together, cement,… …   Law dictionary

  • crystallize — 1590s, from CRYSTAL (Cf. crystal) + IZE (Cf. ize). Figurative use is from 1660s. Related: Crystallized; crystallizing …   Etymology dictionary

  • crystallize — (Amer.) crys·tal·lize || krɪstÉ™laɪz v. cause to form into crystals; cause to take form or shape; form into crystals; take form or shape make clear, make free from confusion, clarify from lack of clarity (also crystalise) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • crystallize — (also crystallise) ► VERB 1) form crystals. 2) (crystallized) (of fruit) coated and impregnated with sugar. 3) make or become definite and clear. DERIVATIVES crystallization noun …   English terms dictionary

  • crystallize — [kris′təl īz΄] vt. crystallized, crystallizing 1. to cause to form crystals or take on a crystalline structure 2. to give a definite form to 3. to coat with sugar vi. 1. to become crystalline in form 2. to take on a definite form …   English World dictionary

  • crystallize — also crystalize verb ( lized; lizing) Date: 1598 transitive verb 1. to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form 2. to cause to take a definite form < tried to crystallize his thoughts > 3. to coat with crystals …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • crystallize — also ise BrE verb 1 (I, T) if a liquid crystallizes, it forms crystals (crystal (3)): The liquid will crystallize at 50 degrees centigrade. 2 (I, T) if an idea, plan etc crystallizes or if you crystallize it, it becomes very clear in your mind: a …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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