positive crystal

noun

A doubly refracting crystal in which the index of refraction for the extraordinary ray is greater than for the ordinary ray, and the former is refracted nearer to the axis than the latter, such as quartz and ice; as opposed to negative crystal: one in which this characteristic is reversed, such as Iceland spar or tourmaline.

Opposite
negative crystal
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Meanings

nounpositive crystal (plural positive crystals)

plural positive crystals

  1. engineeringA doubly refracting crystal in which the index of refraction for the extraordinary ray is greater than for the ordinary ray, and the former is refracted nearer to the axis than the latter, such as quartz and ice; as opposed to negative crystal: one in which this characteristic is reversed, such as Iceland spar or tourmaline.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
negative crystal
Cite this entry
APA

positive crystal. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/positive%20crystal

MLA

“positive crystal.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/positive%20crystal. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “positive crystal,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/positive%20crystal.

Source: positive crystal on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.