2 → see also cry 2
▸ cry out for PHRASAL VERB If you say that something cries out for a particular thing or action, you mean that it needs that thing or action very much. □ [V P P n] This is a disgraceful state of affairs and cries out for a thorough investigation. COLLOCATIONS cry NOUN 3
adjective + cry : anguished, plaintive, loud, shrill
verb + cry : hear; give, utter VERB 1
cry + adverb : hysterically, uncontrollably; quietly, silently; openly
cry|baby /kra I be I bi/ (crybabies ) also cry baby , cry-baby N‑COUNT If someone calls a child a crybaby , they mean that the child cries a lot for no good reason. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
cry|ing /kra I I ŋ/
1 PHRASE If you say that there is a crying need for something, you mean that there is a very great need for it. □ There is a crying need for more magistrates from the ethnic minority communities.
2 PHRASE You can say that something is a crying shame if you are annoyed and upset about it. [FEELINGS ] □ It's a crying shame that police have to put up with these mindless attacks.
3 → see also cry
cryo|gen|ics /kra I oʊdʒe n I ks/ The form cryogenic is used as a modifier. N‑PLURAL Cryogenics is a branch of physics that studies what happens to things at extremely low temperatures.
crypt /kr I pt/ (crypts ) N‑COUNT A crypt is an underground room underneath a church or cathedral. □ …people buried in the crypt of an old London church.
cryp|tic /kr I pt I k/ ADJ A cryptic remark or message contains a hidden meaning or is difficult to understand. □ He has issued a short, cryptic statement denying the spying charges. □ My father's notes are more cryptic here. ● cryp|ti|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Not necessarily,' she says cryptically.
crypto- /kr I ptoʊ-/ COMB Crypto- is added to adjectives and nouns to form other adjectives and nouns which refer to people who have hidden beliefs and principles.
crys|tal ◆◇◇ /kr I st ə l/ (crystals )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A crystal is a small piece of a substance that has formed naturally into a regular symmetrical shape. □ …salt crystals. □ …a single crystal of silicon.
2 → see also liquid crystal , liquid crystal display
3 N‑VAR Crystal is a transparent rock that is used to make jewellery and ornaments. □ …a strand of crystal beads.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Crystal is a high-quality glass, usually with patterns cut into its surface. □ Some of the finest drinking glasses are made from lead crystal. □ …crystal glasses.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Glasses and other containers made of crystal are referred to as crystal . □ Get out your best china and crystal.
cry s|tal ba ll (crystal balls ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone, especially an expert, looks into a crystal ball , you mean that they are trying to predict the future. Crystal balls are traditionally used by fortune-tellers. □ Local economists have looked into their crystal balls and seen something rather nasty.
cry s|tal clea r
1 ADJ Water that is crystal clear is absolutely clear and transparent like glass. □ The cliffs, lapped by a crystal-clear sea, remind her of Capri.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that a message or statement is crystal clear , you are emphasizing that it is very easy to understand. [EMPHASIS ] □ The message is crystal clear–if you lose weight, you will feel better.
crys|tal|line /kr I st ə la I n/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A crystalline substance is in the form of crystals or contains crystals. □ Diamond is the crystalline form of the element carbon.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Crystalline means clear or bright. [LITERARY ] □ …a huge plain dotted with crystalline lakes.
crys|tal|lize /kr I st ə la I z/ (crystallizes , crystallizing , crystallized ) in BRIT, also use crystallise 1 VERB If you crystallize an opinion or idea, or if it crystallizes , it becomes fixed and definite in someone's mind. □ [V n] He has managed to crystallise the feelings of millions of ordinary people. □ [V ] Now my thoughts really began to crystallise.
2 VERB If a substance crystallizes , or something crystallizes it, it turns into crystals. □ [V ] Don't stir or the sugar will crystallise. □ [V n] …a 19th-century technique that actually crystallizes the tin.
crys|tal|lized /kr I st ə la I zd/ in BRIT, also use crystallised ADJ [usu ADJ n] Crystallized fruits and sweets are covered in sugar which has been melted and then allowed to go hard.
C S ga s N‑UNCOUNT CS gas is a gas which causes you to cry and makes breathing painful. It is sometimes used by the police to control a crowd which is rioting. [BRIT ]
cub /kʌ b/ (cubs ) The spelling Cub is also used for meanings 2 and 3 . 1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A cub is a young wild animal such as a lion, wolf, or bear. □ …three five-week-old lion cubs.
2 N‑PROPER [with sing or pl verb] The Cubs or the Cub Scouts is a version of the Scouts for boys between the ages of eight and ten.
3 N‑COUNT A cub or a cub scout is a boy who is a member of the Cubs.
Cu|ban /kjuː bən/ (Cubans )
1 ADJ Cuban means belonging or relating to Cuba, or to its people or culture.