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Added 9 October 2026

crystallize

/ˈkɹɪstəlaɪz/ verb

Latin root: crystallus Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about crystallize at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To make something form into crystals.
I crystallized the copper sulfate by slowly cooling a saturated solution.
To assume a crystalline form.
The copper sulphate crystallized from solution.
To give a definite or precise form to (something).
After some thought, I crystallized my ideas for the paper.

Origin

From crystal + -ize. The double l reflects the classical stem found in its etyma, Latin crystallus and Ancient Greek κρύσταλλος (krústallos), rather than the simplified spelling of the English base noun. Compare Hellenistic Greek κρυσταλλίζειν (krustallízein, “to shine like crystal”), post‐classical Latin crystallizare (“to change into crystal”), and French cristalliser.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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