Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To cause something to become clear, definite, or well-defined in form or concept.
   • To cause a substance to form crystals or to assume a crystalline structure.
   • To coat or impregnate with sugar crystals.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To assume a crystalline form.
   • To become clear and definite; to take on a distinct shape.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb (to make clear/definite):

  • The meeting helped to crystallise the company's strategy for the next decade.
  • It took years of research for the theory to crystallise in her mind.

• Transitive Verb (to form crystals):

  • The chemist crystallised the salt from the solution by slowly evaporating the water.
  • The cold temperature caused the honey to crystallise.

• Transitive Verb (to coat with sugar):

  • They crystallised the ginger by boiling it in a sugar syrup.

• Intransitive Verb:

  • As the solution cooled, the solute began to crystallise.
  • My plans for the project are starting to crystallise.

Advanced Usage

• "Crystallise out": (Phrasal Verb) To separate from a solution or mixture in the form of crystals.

  • The pure compound will crystallise out first if the cooling is done slowly.

• In a figurative/metaphorical sense: Often used to describe the process where ideas, plans, or feelings become clear and solid.

  • The tragic event crystallised public opinion on the issue.

Variants and Related Words

• Crystallisation (noun, chiefly British spelling): The process of crystallising.

  • The crystallisation of her ideas was a breakthrough.
  • Sugar crystallisation is a key step in making fudge.

• Crystallised/Crystallized (adjective):

  • Having formed crystals (e.g., crystallised honey).
  • Preserved or coated with sugar (e.g., crystallised violets).
  • Made definite or concrete (e.g., a crystallised opinion).

• Recrystallise (verb): To dissolve and then crystallise again, often to purify a substance.

Synonyms

• Clarify: To make a statement or situation clear and understandable.
• Solidify: To make solid, firm, or definite. (For ideas/plans)
• Precipitate: (Chemistry) To cause a substance to be deposited in solid form from a solution.
• Cohere: To become logically consistent or form a unified whole. (For ideas)
• Candy: To preserve or coat with sugar. (For the culinary sense)

Phrasal Verbs and Common Collocations

• Crystallise into: To develop into a clear and definite form.
  • Their discussions finally crystallised into a viable action plan.
• Crystallise from: (Chemistry) To separate as crystals from a solution or melt.
  • Beautiful blue crystals crystallised from the saturated liquid.

Idioms and Fixed Expressions

• To crystallise one's thoughts: To make one's vague ideas become clear and precise.
  • Writing in a journal helps me crystallise my thoughts.
• A crystallising moment: A pivotal event that makes something suddenly clear or causes a decisive change in understanding.
  • The interview was a crystallising moment that made her realise her true career path.

Verb

1. cause to take on a definite and clear shape
   • He tried to crystallize his thoughts
2. cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
   • crystallize minerals
3. make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
   • Could you clarify these remarks?
   • Clear up the question of who is at fault