Learning / English Dictionary

CRYSTALIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause to take on a definite and clear shape

Example:

He tried to crystallize his thoughts

Synonyms:

crystalise; crystalize; crystallise; crystallize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "crystalize" is one way to...):

form; shape (give shape or form to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Assume crystalline form; become crystallized

Synonyms:

crystalise; crystalize; crystallize; effloresce

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "crystalize" is one way to...):

solidify (become solid)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "crystalize"):

devitrify (become crystalline)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

crystal (a rock formed by the solidification of a substance; has regularly repeating internal structure; external plane faces)

crystal (colorless glass made of almost pure silica)

crystal (a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form

Example:

crystallize minerals

Synonyms:

crystalise; crystalize; crystallise; crystallize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "crystalize" is one way to...):

change integrity (change in physical make-up)

Cause:

crystalise; crystalize; crystallize; effloresce (assume crystalline form; become crystallized)

Domain category:

natural philosophy; physics (the science of matter and energy and their interactions)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

crystal (a rock formed by the solidification of a substance; has regularly repeating internal structure; external plane faces)

crystal (colorless glass made of almost pure silica)

crystal (a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear

Example:

Clear up the question of who is at fault

Synonyms:

clear; clear up; crystalise; crystalize; crystallise; crystallize; elucidate; enlighten; illuminate; shed light on; sort out; straighten out

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "crystalize" is one way to...):

clarify; clear up; elucidate (make clear and (more) comprehensible)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

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