An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A solidified substance in which the constituent atoms, ions, or molecules form a three-dimensionally periodic arrangement.

Etymology (EN): O.E. cristal “clear ice, clear mineral,” from O.Fr. cristal, from L. crystallum “crystal, ice,” from Gk. krystallos, from kryos “frost,” from PIE base *kreus- “to begin to freeze, form a crust,” → cryogenics.

Etymology (PE): Bolur, from Mid.Pers. bêlûr “crystal,” Manichean Parthian bylwr, maybe of Indian origin, Pali veluriya- “a precious stone;” cf. Skt. vaidurya-, perhaps related to Tamil veliru, vilar “to become pale,” or to the southern Indian city Velur, modern Belur. The Mid.Pers. word is perhaps the carrier between the Indian word and the Gk. beryllos, which has given rise to L. beryllus, O.Fr. beryl, E. beryl “the beryllium aluminum silicate, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈.”