Crystallize Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of CRYSTALLIZE

1

technical

:

to change into a solid form that is made up of crystals

[no object]

• Eventually the paint will start to crystallize.
• Certain conditions can cause carbon to crystallize into diamonds.

[+ object]

• Certain conditions can crystallize carbon into diamonds.

2

:

to cause (something, such as an idea, belief, etc.) to become clear and fully formed

[+ object]

• The final paragraph of the essay crystallizes her theory.
• He tried to crystallize his thoughts.

[no object]

• Her theory crystallizes in the final paragraph of the essay.
• The plan crystallized slowly.

— crystallization

also British

crystallisation

/ˌkrɪstələˈzeɪʃən/ Brit /ˌkrɪstəˌlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

noun

[noncount]

• the crystallization of the liquid
• the crystallization of her theory