crystal

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
  2. noun a crystalline element used as a component in various electronic devices
  3. noun a rock formed by the solidification of a substance; has regularly repeating internal structure; external plane faces

Etymology

From Middle English crystal, cristal, criȝstall, representing a merger of Old English cristalla (from Latin crystallus) and Anglo-Norman cristall, Old French cristal (from Latin crystallum). The Latin is derived from Ancient Greek κρύσταλλος (krústallos, “clear ice”), from κρύος (krúos, “frost”), from Proto-Indo-European *krews- (“hard, hard outer surface, crust”).

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