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Crystall- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “crystal.” It is used in some scientific terms, especially in geology and mineralogy.

Crystall- comes from the Greek ���ý���ٲ������Dz�, meaning “clear ice, rock crystal,” source of the word crystal, as you may have guessed.

But did you guess the following? The Greek ���ý���ٲ������Dz� is related to ���ý�Dz�, meaning “ice cold” or “frost” and source of the combining form cryo-. Learn more in our 51�Թ�s That Use cryo- article.

Crystall- is a variant of crystallo-, which loses its –o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Another variant of crystallo- is crystalli-, as in crystalliferous.

Want to know more? Read our 51�Թ�s That Use crystallo- and crystalli- articles.

You may be familiar with the word crystallize, which means “to form into crystals.” By metaphorical extension, crystallize is also a verb meaning “to give definite or concrete form to” something, as in crystallizing idea.

The first part of the word, crystall-, means “crystal.” The second part of the word, the suffix -ize, is used to form verbs, including with the general sense of “to render, make.” So, crystallize literally translates “to make (into) crystals.”

What are some words that use the combining form crystall-?

• crystallin
• crystalloid (using the equivalent form of crystall- in Greek)
• crystallite

What are some other forms that crystall- may be commonly confused with?

• chrys-
• cry-
• cyan-

You may be familiar with the suffix -oid, meaning “resembling, like.” Given the meaning of crystal-, what does something crystalloid resemble?