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

Crystalli- 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.

Crystalli- is a variant of crystallo- before a word element that is of Latin origin. Crystall- is another variant of crystallo-.

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

One example of word that uses crystalli- is crystalliferous, meaning “bearing, containing, or yielding crystals.”

The first part of the word, crystalli-, means “crystal,” as we know. The second part of the word, -ferous, variously means “bearing,” “producing,” “yielding,” “containing,” “conveying.” So, crystalliferous literally translates to “crystal-bearing.” We think this word is … splendiferous!

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

Note that some etymologists break down crystalliferous and crystalligerous as a blend of crystal with -iferous and -igerous, respectively.

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

• chryso-
• cryo-
• cyano-

Crystalligerous is a rare term used to describe spores or cells that contain (–gerous) what substance?