Crȳs'tal-li-zā'tion, n.

n. [Fr. cristallisation, from cristalliser. See infra.] 1. (Chem. & Min.) The act or process by which a substance in solidifying assumes the form and texture of a crystal, or becomes crystallized. 2. The mass or body formed by the process of crystallizing. Woodward. ☞ The systems of crystallization are the several classes to which the forms are mathematically referable. 1. The Monometric or Tessaral system has the axes all equal, as in the cube, octahedron, &c. 2. The Dimetric system has a varying vertical axis, while the lateral are equal, as in the right square prism. 3. The Trimetric system has the three axes unequal; as in the rectangular and rhombic prisms. The preceding are erect forms, and the axes therefore intersect at right angles. The following are oblique. 4. The Monoclinic, having one of the intersections oblique, as in the oblique rhombic prism. 5. The Diclinic, having two of the intersections oblique. 6. The Triclinic, having all the three intersections oblique, as in the oblique rhomboidal prism. There is also, 7. The Hexagonal system (also called Rhombohedral), in which there are three equal lateral axes, as in the hexagonal prism and the rhombohedron. Dana.