Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Crucible?

\Cru"ci*ble\ (kr[udd]"s[i^]*b'l), n. [LL. crucibulum a hanging lamp, an earthen pot for melting metals (cf. OF. croisel, creuseul, sort of lamp, crucible, F. creuset crucible), prob. of German origin; cf. OHG. kr[=u]sul, LG. kr["u]sel, hanging lamp, kroos, kruus, mug, jug, jar, D. kroes cup, crucible, Dan. kruus, Sw. krus, E. cruse. It was confused with derivatives of L. crux cross (cf. {Crosslet}), and crucibles were said to have been marked with a cross, to prevent the devil from marring the chemical operation. See {Cruse}, and cf. {Cresset}.] 1. A vessel or melting pot, composed of some very refractory substance, as clay, graphite, platinum, and used for melting and calcining substances which require a strong degree of heat, as metals, ores, etc. 2. A hollow place at the bottom of a furnace, to receive the melted metal. 3. A test of the most decisive kind; a severe trial; as, the crucible of affliction. {Hessian crucible} (Chem.), a cheap, brittle, and fragile, but very refractory crucible, composed of the finest fire clay and sand, and commonly used for a single heating; -- named from the place of manufacture.