Crys"tal (kr&ibreve;s"tal),
n. [OE. cristal, F. cristal, L.
crystallum crystal, ice, fr. Gr. kry`stallos,
fr. kry`os icy cold, frost; cf. AS. crystalla,
fr. L. crystallum; prob. akin to E. crust. See
Crust, Raw.] 1. (Chem. &
Min.) The regular form which a substance tends to assume
in solidifying, through the inherent power of cohesive
attraction. It is bounded by plane surfaces, symmetrically
arranged, and each species of crystal has fixed axial ratios. See
Crystallization.
2. The material of quartz, in
crystallization transparent or nearly so, and either colorless or
slightly tinged with gray, or the like; -- called also rock
crystal. Ornamental vessels are made of it. Cf. Smoky
quartz, Pebble; also Brazilian pebble, under
Brazilian.
3. A species of glass, more perfect in
its composition and manufacture than common glass, and often cut
into ornamental forms. See Flint glass.
4. The glass over the dial of a watch
case.
5. Anything resembling crystal, as clear
water, etc.
The blue crystal of the seas.
Byron.
Blood crystal. See under
Blood. -- Compound crystal. See
under Compound. -- Iceland crystal,
a transparent variety of calcite, or crystallized calcium
carbonate, brought from Iceland, and used in certain optical
instruments, as the polariscope. -- Rock
crystal, or Mountain crystal,
any transparent crystal of quartz, particularly of limpid or
colorless quartz.
Crys"tal, a. Consisting of, or
like, crystal; clear; transparent; lucid; pellucid;
crystalline.
Through crystal walls each little mote will
peep.
Shak.
By crystal streams that murmur through the
meads.
Dryden.
The crystal pellets at the touch
congeal,
And from the ground rebounds the ratting hail.
H. Brooks.
