crystalized
crystalized — verb
- crystalizedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- crystalizeds3rd person singular
- crystalizeding-ing form
- crystalizededpast simple
1. to cause a dissolved substance or liquid to harden into a regular, geometric sol
to cause a dissolved substance or liquid to harden into a regular, geometric solid form with flat surfaces and sharp edges
The lab assistant crystalized the copper sulfate solution by leaving it in a shallow dish overnight.
crystalize + solution + by leaving
Stefan crystalized the honey by stirring it gently while it cooled in the refrigerator.
When the volcanic glass cooled rapidly, it did not crystalize into visible mineral grains.
The chemist crystalized the new compound to study its exact shape under a microscope.
- solidify
broader — any liquid becoming solid, not necessarily into crystals
- precipitate
technically different — a solid falling out of solution, which may or may not be crystalline
文法句型
crystalize + object (liquid/solution)
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive voice when describing laboratory procedures ('the salt was crystalized by slow evaporation'). The object is normally a chemical substance or a liquid that contains dissolved minerals.
常見錯誤
2. to cause a vague idea, plan, or feeling to become fixed, definite, and clearly u
to cause a vague idea, plan, or feeling to become fixed, definite, and clearly understood
A month of travel through Southeast Asia crystalized Nadia's desire to work in international development.
crystalize + desire + by experience
The board meeting crystalized the company's strategy for entering the Indian market.
Reading her grandmother's old letters crystalized Talia's plan to write a family history book.
The factory workers' complaints crystalized into a formal list of demands for the management.
- clarify
similar in meaning but 'clarify' emphasises making something understandable, while 'crystalize' emphasises giving it a final, fixed form
- solidify
also used figuratively, with a similar sense of making something firm and definite
- harden
stronger connotation of becoming unchangeable, sometimes negative
文法句型
crystalize + object (idea/plan/thought)
用法筆記
Subject is typically an experience, event, or piece of information that brings clarity. The object is an abstract noun such as an idea, opinion, plan, goal, or feeling. Not used with concrete physical objects in this sense.
常見錯誤
3. to cover a food item with a layer of sugar crystals, usually by boiling it in su
to cover a food item with a layer of sugar crystals, usually by boiling it in sugar syrup and then letting it dry
Anjali crystalized slices of fresh ginger to make a spicy-sweet treat for the winter holidays.
crystalize + ginger + to make
The pastry chef crystalized edible flower petals and used them to decorate wedding cakes.
Lara crystalized the lemon peels by boiling them in sugar syrup and leaving them on a wire rack overnight.
Candied fruit is made when fresh fruit is slowly crystalized so the sugar replaces the natural moisture.
文法句型
crystalize + object (food item) + in/with syrup
用法筆記
Common in cooking and confectionery contexts. The process involves replacing the water in the food with sugar so that sugar crystals form on and inside the food. Frequently appears in recipes as 'crystallized ginger', 'crystallized fruit', or 'crystallized flowers'.
常見錯誤
4. to change naturally into a crystalline solid form as minerals or dissolved subst
to change naturally into a crystalline solid form as minerals or dissolved substances come out of a liquid state
The honey in the pantry crystalized after several weeks of cold winter weather.
crystalized + after + time + condition
Over thousands of years, the minerals in the cave water crystalized into beautiful stalactites hanging from the ceiling.
crystalized + into + stalactites
When seawater evaporates in shallow pools along the coast, salt naturally crystalizes on the surface.
Bilal warmed the crystalized maple syrup on the stove to return it to a liquid state.
- form crystals
more literal and less formal, same meaning
文法句型
crystalize into + crystal type
用法筆記
Intransitive — no direct object. The subject is the material that undergoes the change. This sense describes a natural or spontaneous process, unlike sense 1 which involves a person causing the change.