crystallum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [krysˈtal.lũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [krisˈtal.lum]^[1]

Forms

crystallum n (genitive crystallī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is a learned borrowed from Ancient Greek κρύσταλλος (krústallos, “ice”), from κρύος (krúos, “frost”).^[2][1][3] Feminine forms ⟨crystallus⟩, ⟨crystallos⟩ are found in Cinna, Propertius, Lucan and Pliny the Elder, and the reason for the neuter is unknown.^[2][1] It is also spelled ⟨crustallum⟩.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cinna, with the feminine form, and Propertius, of rock crystal.^[2] Köbler dates Propertius 57/46–12 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant rock crystal, which the ancients believed to be ice condensed, as in Propertius, Seneca and Pliny the Elder.^[2][5] In Seneca it also meant ice, as in the Priapea.^[2][5] In Apuleius it meant crystal ware, and in the plural crystal cups.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant crystal.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for ice, rock crystal, a burning glass and a gazing crystal.^[7] It was borrowed into Italian as cristallo, and through Old French cristal it gave Old English cristal “clear ice”, whence English crystal.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 57/46–12 BC – Propertius uses it of rock crystal.^[2][4]
• 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of ice.^[2][4]
• c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius uses it of crystal cups.^[2][4]
• Old English – cristal is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. Ice.^[2]
2. Rock crystal.^[2]
3. Crystal ware; crystal cups.^[2]

Related words

• English crystal

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press