[n. of action f. CRYSTALLIZE v. So F. cristallisation.]
1. The action of forming crystals, or of assuming a crystalline structure, a process that takes place in many substances while cooling from a state of fusion or solution.
Water of crystallization: the water held by certain salts as an essential part of their crystalline structure, which structure is destroyed when the water is lost by evaporation or driven off by heat.
1665. Hooke, Microgr., 87. In the Solution and Crystallization of Salts.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 136. Salts … dissolu’d in Water … separate themselves by Cristalization.
1791. Hamilton, trans. Berthollet’s Dyeing, I. I. III. i. 214. It effloresces, that is, it parts with its water of crystallization in the air, and assumes the appearance of flour.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 222. The tree-like form which some bodies assume in the act of crystallisation.
b. fig.
1862. Helps, Organiz. Daily Life, 32. All systems tend to a certain kind of crystallization.
1875. Hamerton, Intell. Life, VII. ii. 234. The final fixing and crystallization of her intellect.
2. concr. A crystallized formation or body.
1695. Woodward, Nat. Hist. Earth, IV. (1723), 213. All other natural metallick and mineral Crystallizations, were effected by the Water.
1776. J. Keir, in Phil. Trans., XIV. 102 (title), On the Crystallizations observed in Glass.
1836. W. Irving, Astoria, III. 93. Salt springs … forming beautiful crystallizations.
fig. 1884. R. Wheatley, in Harper’s Mag., June, 56/1. As the laws of a nation are the crystallizations of its historical experiences, so the customs regulation of a people are the residual crystallization of its commercial relations with foreigners.
