crystal(KRIS til) n. 1. a transparent mineral, especially quartz; 2. such a mineral
with a cut or naturally geometric pattern of facets; 3. the transparent covering of
the face of a watch; 4. especially clear and briliant glassware
- Crystalsof carbon are the hardest known natural substance, also known as
diamonds. - Quartz crystalsoccur in many different colors, with rose quartz being quite
common. - Carlotta took her watch to the jeweler for a new crystal.
crystallize(KRIS til YZ) vt. 1. to take on a definite form; 2. to form crystals or
crystal-like shapes; 3. to coat with sugar - It took a while for the plan to crystallizein Gail’s head.
- When water vapor crystallizesit forms six-sided snowflakes.
- Crystallizedginger is coated with sugar and is delicious but tangy.
[-d, crystallizing, crystallization n.]
culpability(KUHL puh BIL i tee) n. the responsibility for something’s happen-
ing; the blame - The culpabilityfor a rear-end collision always belongs to the rear car’s driver.
- Despite having borrowed his father’s camera without asking permission,
Irwin denied any culpability.
[Syn. blame]
cultivate(KUHL ti VAYT) vt. 1. to prepare soil for crop growing; 2. to grow
(plants, animals, and so on) from scratch; 3. to improve by training; 4. to develop
(a taste for) - The farmer cultivateswith a plow before sowing the first seeds.
- Bob cultivatesflowers every year, starting them in pots in early May.
- In medieval times, monks cultivatedtrees in the shape of candelabras.
- A liking for caviar is a taste one must cultivate,as it is not a naturally
appealing food.
[-d, cultivating]
curmudgeon(koer MUHJ in) n. an ill-mannered, bad-tempered person; a can-
tankerous person - Nobody cared to argue with Mr. Jones because he had a reputation for
being a curmudgeon. - Miss Smith was such a curmudgeonthat it was no wonder she had remained
unwed.
cursory(KOER sir ee) adj. with little attention to detail; done hastily - Rita took a cursorylook at the right front bumper to see whether any
damage had been done. - The doctor gave Ben a cursoryexamination before declaring him fit to
return to work.
[cursorily adv.] [Syn. superficial]
266 Essential Vocabulary