| English Dictionary |
CRYSTALLINE
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Dictionary entry overview: What does crystalline mean?
• CRYSTALLINE (adjective)
The adjective CRYSTALLINE has 3 senses:
1. consisting of or containing or of the nature of crystals
2. distinctly or sharply outlined
3. transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
Familiarity information: CRYSTALLINE used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Consisting of or containing or of the nature of crystals
Context example:
granite is crystalline
Similar:
crystalised; crystallized (having both internal structure and external form of a crystal)
microcrystalline (containing crystals that are visible only under a microscope)
polycrystalline (composed of aggregates of crystals)
Antonym:
noncrystalline (not crystalline)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Distinctly or sharply outlined
Context example:
crystalline sharpness of outline
Similar:
distinct (easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
Synonyms:
crystal clear; crystalline; limpid; lucid; pellucid; transparent
Context example:
transparent crystal
Similar:
clear (allowing light to pass through)
Context examples
A white, stable, odorless, synthetic, crystalline solid chlorinated hydrocarbon.
(Mirex, NCI Thesaurus)
A yellow, crystalline nitrosamine that is sensitive to light.
(N-Nitrosomorpholine, NCI Thesaurus)
A pale yellow, crystalline solid nitrosamine that decomposes when exposed to light and emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition.
(N-Nitrososarcosine, NCI Thesaurus)
A pale yellow, crystalline nitrosourea that is sensitive to light and moisture and emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition.
(Methylnitrosourea, NCI Thesaurus)
A white, crystalline carcinogenic chlorinated hydrocarbon that emits toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated compounds when heated to decomposition.
(Chlorendic Acid, NCI Thesaurus)
He went up the frozen bed of the stream, where the snow, shaded by the trees, was yet hard and crystalline.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
An inorganic, crystalline solid substance with a well-defined chemical composition and with characteristic physical properties that is found in nature and has the ability to increase human cancer risk.
(Carcinogenic Mineral, NCI Thesaurus)
A disorder characterized by partial or complete opacity of the crystalline lens of one or both eyes.
(Cataract, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)
A greenish, crystalline inorganic compound that produces toxic gases upon heating.
(Nickel Acetate, NCI Thesaurus)
A light green, crystalline inorganic compound that produces toxic gases upon heating.
(Nickel Carbonate, NCI Thesaurus)
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