different between crystal vs efflorescence

English

Alternative forms

• crystall (obsolete)
• chrystal (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English crystal, cristal, cri?stall, from Old English cristalla (“crystal”), a borrowing from Latin crystallum (“crystal, ice”) (later reinforced from Anglo-Norman cristall and Middle French cristal, from Latin crystallum), from Ancient Greek ?????????? (krústallos, “clear ice”), from ????? (krúos, “frost”), from the Proto-Indo-European *krus-, *kru- (“hard, hard outer surface, crust”).

Pronunciation

• enPR: kr?s?t?l, IPA^(key): /?k??st?l/

Noun

crystal (countable and uncountable, plural crystals)

1. (countable) A solid composed of an array of atoms or molecules possessing long-range order and arranged in a pattern which is periodic in three dimensions.

   Synonym: grain

   Antonyms: amorphous, glass

2. (countable) A piece of glimmering, shining mineral resembling ice or glass.
3. (uncountable) A fine type of glassware, or the material used to make it.
4. (uncountable, slang) Crystal meth: methamphetamine hydrochloride.
5. The glass over the dial of a watch case.

Derived terms

Descendants

• ? Japanese: ????? (kurisutaru)

Translations

Adjective

crystal (not comparable)

1. Very clear.

   "Do I make myself clear?" / "Crystal."

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “crystal”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French efflorescence, from Latin efflorescere, which was from ex- (“out”) +? florescere (“to blossom”).

Noun

efflorescence (countable and uncountable, plural efflorescences)

1. (chemistry) The formation of a powdery surface on crystals, as a hydrate is converted to anhydrous form by losing loosely bound water of crystallization to the atmosphere.
2. (botany) The production of flowers.
3. (construction) An encrustation of soluble salts, commonly white, deposited on the surface of stone, brick, plaster, or mortar; usually caused by free alkalies leached from mortar or adjacent concrete as moisture moves through it.
4. (geology) An encrustation of soluble salts, deposited on rock or soil by evaporation; often found in arid or geothermal environments.
5. (figuratively) Rapid flowering of a culture or civilisation etc.
6. (pathology) A redness, rash, or eruption on the skin.

Derived terms

• effloresce
• efflorescent

Translations

French

Noun

efflorescence f (plural efflorescences)

1. efflorescence