Added 9 October 2026
crystalline
/ˈkɹɪs.tə.lɪn/ adjective
Latin root: crystallinus Wiktionary
adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about crystalline at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Consisting of or containing or of the nature of crystals.
granite is crystalline
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Distinctly or sharply outlined.
crystalline sharpness of outline
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Transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity.
the cold crystalline water of melted snow
Origin
From Middle English cristallyn, cristallyne, from Old French cristallin and its etymon Latin crystallinus, from Ancient Greek κρυστάλλινος (krustállinos), from κρύσταλλος (krústallos, “crystal”) + -ῐνος (-ĭnos, adjectival suffix). By surface analysis, crystal + -ine.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)