Crys"tal*lite (kr?s"tal-l?t), n. [See Crystal.] (Min.) A minute mineral form like those common in glassy volcanic rocks and some slags, not having a definite crystalline outline and not referable to any mineral species, but marking the first step in the crystallization process. According to their form crystallites are called trichites, belonites, globulites, etc.
Crys"tal*li`za*ble (kr&ibreve;s"tal*lī`z&adot;*b'l), a. Capable of being crystallized; that may be formed into crystals.
Crys`tal*li*za"tion (kr&ibreve;s`tal*l&ibreve;*zā"shŭn), n. [Cf. F. cristallization.] 1. (Chem. & Min.) The act or process by which a substance in solidifying assumes the form and structure of a crystal, or becomes crystallized.
2. The body formed by crystallizing; as, silver on precipitation forms arborescent crystallizations.
&fist; The systems of crystallization are the several classes to which the forms are mathematically referable. They are most simply described according to the relative lengths and inclinations of certain assumed lines called axes; but the real distinction is the degree of symmetry characterizing them. 1. The Isometric, or Monometric, system has the axes all equal, as in the cube, octahedron, etc. 2. The Tetragonal, or Dimetric, system has a varying vertical axis, while the lateral are equal, as in the right square prism. 3. The Orthorhombic, or Trimetric, system has the three axes unequal, as in the rectangular and rhombic prism. In this system, the lateral axes are called, respectively, macrodiagonal and brachydiagonal. -- The preceding are erect forms, the axes intersecting at right angles. The following are oblique. 4. The Monoclinic system, having one of the intersections oblique, as in the oblique rhombic prism. In this system, the lateral axes are called respectively, clinodiagonal and orthodiagonal. 5. The Triclinic system, having all the three intersections oblique, as in the oblique rhomboidal prism. There is also: 6. The Hexagonal system (one division of which is called Rhombohedral), in which there are three equal lateral axes, and a vertical axis of variable length, as in the hexagonal prism and the rhombohedron.
&fist; The Diclinic system, sometimes recognized, with two oblique intersections, is only a variety of the Triclinic.
Crys"tal*lize (kr&ibreve;s"tal*līz), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Crystallized (-līzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Crystallizing.] [Cf. F. cristalliser. See Crystal.] To cause to form crystals, or to assume the crystalline form.
Crys"tal*lize, v. i. To be converted into a crystal; to take on a crystalline form, through the action of crystallogenic or cohesive attraction.
{ Crys`tal*lo*gen"ic (-l?-j?n"?k), Crys`tal*lo*gen"ic*al (-?-kal), } a. Pertaining to the production of crystals; crystal-producing; as, crystallogenic attraction.
Crys`tal*log"e*ny (kr?s`tal-l?j"?-n?), n. [Gr. kry`stallos crystal + root of gi`gnesqai to be born.] The science which pertains to the production of crystals.
Crys`tal*log"ra*pher (kr&ibreve;s"tal*l&obreve;g"r&adot;*f&etilde;r), n. One who describes crystals, or the manner of their formation; one versed in crystallography.
{ Crys`tal*lo*graph"ic (-l?-gr?f"?k), Crys`tal*lo*graph"ic*al (-?-kal), } a. [Cf. F. crystallographique.] Pertaining to crystallography.
Crys`tal*lo*graph"ic*al*ly, adv. In the manner of crystallography.
Crys`tal*log"ra*phy (kr&ibreve;s"tal*l&obreve;g"r&adot;*f&ybreve;), n. [Gr. kry`stallos crystal + - graphy: cf. F. cristallographie. See Crystal.] 1. The doctrine or science of crystallization, teaching the system of forms among crystals, their structure, and their methods of formation.