crucible

views updated May 29 2018

cru·ci·ble / ˈkroōsəbəl/ • n. a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures. ∎  a place or occasion of severe test or trial. ∎  a place or situation in which different elements interact to produce something new.

crucible

views updated May 29 2018

crucible vessel for fusing metals. XV (early forms corusible, kressibulle). — medL. crucibulum night-lamp, crucible, f. L. crux, cruc- CROSS 1; perh. orig. lamp hanging before a crucifix.