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Verb: crystallize  'kris-tu,lIz
  1. (physics) cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
    "crystallize minerals";
    - crystallise [Brit], crystalize [US, rare]
     
  2. Assume crystalline form; become crystallized
    "The sugar solution crystallized as it cooled";
    - crystalize [US, rare], effloresce, crystallise [Brit]
     
  3. Make clear or more understandable; remove confusion or ambiguity
    "The professor's explanation helped crystallize the concept";
    - clear, clear up, shed light on, crystallise [Brit], crystalize [US, rare], straighten out, sort out, enlighten, illuminate, elucidate
     
  4. Cause to take on a definite and clear shape
    "He tried to crystallize his thoughts";
    - crystallise [Brit], crystalize [US, rare]

Derived forms: crystallizes, crystallizing, crystallized

Type of: change integrity, clarify, clear up, elucidate, form, shape, solidify

Encyclopedia: Crystallize