crystallography: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “crystallography” mean?
The scientific study of the arrangement and properties of atoms in crystalline solids.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The scientific study of the arrangement and properties of atoms in crystalline solids.
The branch of science concerned with the structure and properties of crystals, often using techniques like X-ray diffraction to determine atomic arrangement; the descriptive science of crystals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related terms follows regional conventions (e.g., 'crystallise' vs. 'crystallize').
Connotations
Identical highly technical/scientific connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both UK and US English, confined to scientific literature and education.
Grammar
How to Use “crystallography” in a Sentence
study of crystallographyuse of crystallography to determineapplication of crystallography inVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crystallography” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The structure was determined crystallographically.
American English
- The sample was analysed crystallographically.
adjective
British English
- crystallographic techniques
- a crystallographic study
American English
- crystallographic data
- crystallographic symmetry
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in highly specialised pharmaceutical or materials science company reports.
Academic
The primary domain. Common in chemistry, physics, geology, materials science, and biochemistry departments and publications.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used when explaining a highly technical profession or field of study to a layperson.
Technical
Core technical term. Precisely defined and used in research papers, methodologies, and technical descriptions of materials.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crystallography”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crystallography”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crystallography”
- Misspelling: 'crystollography' or 'cristallography'.
- Incorrect pluralisation (it's uncountable).
- Confusing with 'crystallization' (the process of forming crystals).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Crystallisation is the physical process of forming crystals from a solution or melt. Crystallography is the scientific study of the structure and properties of the crystals that result from that process.
Traditionally, yes – a single, high-quality crystal is required for techniques like X-ray crystallography. However, methods like powder diffraction or electron crystallography can work with polycrystalline or microcrystalline samples.
No. While it can be used to study gemstones, its most impactful applications are in determining the structures of biological molecules (like proteins and DNA) for drug development, and in developing new materials for technology.
The development of most modern pharmaceuticals. Knowing the precise 3D structure of a target protein (determined by crystallography) allows scientists to design drugs that fit into it like a key in a lock.
The scientific study of the arrangement and properties of atoms in crystalline solids.
Crystallography is usually academic/scientific in register.
Crystallography: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪstəˈlɒɡrəfi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɪstəˈlɑːɡrəfi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CRYSTAL-log-raphy' – writing (graphy) the log or the map of a crystal's structure.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY IS MAPPING (as in 'mapping the atomic landscape').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is crystallography LEAST likely to be a core technique?