crystalloid

[ kris-tl-oid ]

noun

1. a usually crystallizable substance that, when dissolved in a liquid, will diffuse readily through vegetable or animal membranes.
2. Botany. one of certain minute crystallike granules of protein, found in the tissues of various seeds.

adjective

1. resembling a crystal.
2. of the nature of a crystalloid.

crystalloid

/ ˈkrɪstəˌlɔɪd /

adjective

1. resembling or having the appearance or properties of a crystal or crystalloid

noun

1. a substance that in solution can pass through a semipermeable membrane Compare colloid
2. botany any of numerous crystals of protein occurring in certain seeds and other storage organs

Derived Forms

• ˌcrystalˈloidal, adjective

Other Words From

• crystal·loidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crystalloid¹

From the Greek word krystalloeidḗs, dating back to 1860–65. See crystall-, -oid

Example Sentences

Among the first of its many innovations, it came known for the Brooke Formula, which combined blood, plasma and a crystalloid solution of water, salt and trace elements.

From Washington Times

The colloidal molecule appeared to be formed by the gathering together of several crystalloidal molecules; such a complex structure might be expected readily to undergo change, whereas the simpler molecule of a crystalloid would probably present more definite and less readily altered properties.

From Project Gutenberg

He proved that a colloidal substance acts towards a crystalloid much as water does; that the crystalloid rapidly diffuses through the colloid, but that colloids are not themselves capable of diffusing through other colloids.

From Project Gutenberg

The smallest individual particle of a colloid appeared to him to be a much more complex structure than the smallest particle of a crystalloid.

From Project Gutenberg

On the results of his examination of the phenomena of diffusion of liquids and salts across porous membranes or septa, Graham founded a method of separating colloid from crystalloid bodies, which he called dialysis.

From Project Gutenberg