Crystal

(Ezek. 1:22, with the epithet “terrible,” as dazzling the spectators with its brightness). The word occurs in Rev. 4:6; 21:11; 22:1. It is a stone of the flint order, the most refined kind of quartz. The Greek word here used means also literally “ice.” The ancients regarded the crystal as only pure water congealed into extreme hardness by great length of time.

the representative in the Authorized Version of two Hebrew words.

CRYS'TAL. Job 28:17. The word here rendered "crystal" is used nowhere else, and is believed to mean "glass," which was made by the ancient Egyptians and highly valued. Elsewhere the subject of this paragraph usually denotes ice or frost, and the original term is often so translated, as "frost," Gen 31:40; Job 37:10; Jer 36:30; and "ice." Job 6:16; Job 38:29; Ps 147:17. In Eze 1:22, rock-crystal, a stone perfectly transparent and resembling the purest glass, was plainly meant, and there may be reference to the peculiarly dazzling effect of light reflected from its surface. The ancients supposed that this mineral was only "ice congealed by intense cold," and valued it highly for its great beauty. Its transparency is alluded to in Rev 4:6; Rev 21:11; Rev 22:1. CU'BIT. See Measures.

CRYS'TAL. Job 28:17. The word here rendered "crystal" is used nowhere else, and is believed to mean "glass," which was made by the ancient Egyptians and highly valued. Elsewhere the subject of this paragraph usually denotes ice or frost, and the original term is often so translated, as "frost," Gen 31:40; Job 37:10; Jer 36:30; and "ice." Job 6:16; Job 38:29; Ps 147:17. In Eze 1:22, rock-crystal, a stone perfectly transparent and resembling the purest glass, was plainly meant, and there may be reference to the peculiarly dazzling effect of light reflected from its surface. The ancients supposed that this mineral was only "ice congealed by intense cold," and valued it highly for its great beauty. Its transparency is alluded to in Rev 4:6; Rev 21:11; Rev 22:1.

CU'BIT. See Measures.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The regular form which a substance tends to assume in solidifying, through the inherent power of cohesive attraction. It is bounded by plane surfaces, symmetrically arranged, and each species of crystal has fixed axial ratios. See Crystallization.

2. The material of quartz, in crystallization transparent or nearly so, and either colorless or slightly tinged with gray, or the like; - - called also rock crystal. Ornamental vessels are made of it. Cf. Smoky quartz, Pebble; also Brazilian pebble, under Brazilian.

3. A species of glass, more perfect in its composition and manufacture than common glass, and often cut into ornamental forms. See Flint glass.

4. The glass over the dial of a watch case.

5. Anything resembling crystal, as clear water, etc. The blue crystal of the seas. Byron. Blood crystal. See under Blood. -- Compound crystal. See under Compound. -- Iceland crystal, a transparent variety of calcite, or crystallized calcium carbonate, brought from Iceland, and used in certain optical instruments, as the polariscope. -- Rock crystal, or Mountain crystal, any transparent crystal of quartz, particularly of limpid or colorless quartz.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Consisting of, or like, crystal; clear; transparent; lucid; pellucid; crystalline. Through crystal walls each little mote will peep. Shak. By crystal streams that murmur through the meads. Dryden. The crystal pellets at the touch congeal, And from the ground rebounds the ratting hail. H. Brooks.