crystal
crys·tal [crystal crystals] BrE [ˈkrɪstl] NAmE [ˈkrɪstl] noun
1. countable a small piece of a substance with many even sides, that is formed naturally when the substance becomes solid
•ice/salt crystals
2. uncountable, countable a clear mineral, such as ↑quartz, used in making jewellery and decorative objects
•a pair of crystal earrings
3. uncountable glass of very high quality
•a crystal chandelier/vase
•Every table had been set with fine china and crystal.
4. countable (NAmE)a piece of glass or plastic that covers the face of a watch
see also ↑liquid crystal display
5. = ↑meth
Word Origin:
late Old English (denoting ice or a mineral resembling it), from Old French cristal, from Latin crystallum, from Greek krustallos ‘ice, crystal’. The chemistry sense dates from the early 17th cent.
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