crystallize

crys·tal·lize

verb \ˈkris-tə-ˌlīz\

crys·tal·lizedcrys·tal·liz·ing

Definition of CRYSTALLIZE

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 especially of sugar <crystallize grapes>

intransitive verb

: to become crystallized

— crys·tal·liz·able \-ˌlī-zə-bəl, ˌkris-tə-ˈ\ adjective

— crys·tal·li·za·tion \ˌkris-tə-li-ˈzā-shən\ noun

— crys·tal·liz·er noun

Variants of CRYSTALLIZE

crys·tal·lize also crys·tal·ize \ˈkris-tə-ˌlīz\

Examples of CRYSTALLIZE

1. Eventually the paint will start to crystallize.
2. Certain conditions can cause carbon to crystallize into diamonds.
3. Certain conditions can crystallize carbon into diamonds.
4. The final paragraph of the essay crystallizes her theory.
5. He tried to crystallize his thoughts.
6. Her theory crystallizes in the final paragraph of the essay.

First Known Use of CRYSTALLIZE

1598

Related to CRYSTALLIZE

Synonyms: form (also crystalize), jell, shape (up), solidify

Related Words: associate, coalesce, cohere, fuse; combine, conjoin, conjugate, connect, couple, join, link (up), unify, unite

Near Antonyms: break down, decay, decompose, disintegrate

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