crystal

Everyday

1. A crystal is a solid with a regular shape, flat sides and sharp edges, formed naturally when some substances become solid, like salt, sugar, snowflakes or quartz. tree →
2. Crystal is a kind of very clear, high-quality glass, used for glasses and decorations. tree →
3. «Crystal clear» means completely clear, very easy to see or understand. tree →

In the lessons

In science, pupils grow crystals from salt, sugar or alum solutions and look at them with a magnifying glass; snowflakes are ice crystals with six sides; rocks and gems (quartz, diamonds) are crystals. In everyday life: crystal glasses, a crystal ball in fortune-telling stories. Phrases: salt crystals, ice crystals, grow crystals, crystal clear, crystal ball.

Examples

• We grew salt crystals on a piece of string. tree →
• Every snowflake is made of ice crystals. tree →
• Quartz is a common crystal in rocks. tree →
• The water in the lake was crystal clear. tree →
• The witch looked into her crystal ball. tree →
• Grandma keeps her crystal glasses for special days. tree →
• Is that crystal clear? tree →
• A Stag, drinking from a crystal spring, saw himself mirrored in the clear water. tree →

Note

Countable: crystals. Spelling: c-r-y-s-t-a-l. Myth: crystals do not have healing powers; that is not science. «Crystallise» (UK) / «crystallize» (US) is the verb.

In Jewish tradition

A clear, precious stone or glass.

Interpretation. Job says wisdom is worth more than crystal and coral. Tradition prizes wisdom and Torah above any treasure.

Examples

• No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies. (Writings JOB.28.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: crystals. Spelling: c-r-y-s-t-a-l. Myth: crystals do not have healing powers; that is not science. «Crystallise» (UK) / «crystallize» (US) is the verb.