crucible

cru·ci·ble

noun \ˈkrü-sə-bəl\

Definition of CRUCIBLE

1

: a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat

2

: a severe test

3

: a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development <conditioned by having grown up within the crucible of Chinatown — Tom Wolfe>

Examples of CRUCIBLE

1. He's ready to face the crucible of the Olympics.
2. His character was formed in the crucible of war.

Origin of CRUCIBLE

Middle English corusible, from Medieval Latin crucibulum earthen pot for melting metals

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CRUCIBLE

Synonyms

cross, trial, fire, gauntlet (also gantlet), ordeal

Related Words

baptism, initiation; adversity, affliction, asperity, misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap, privation, tragedy, tribulation, trouble, vicissitude, woe; acid test, litmus test; challenge, complication, difficulty, grief, grievance, hardship, rigor; annoyance, discomfort, inconvenience, nuisance

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

cru·ci·ble

noun \ˈkrü-sə-bəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CRUCIBLE

: a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat

crucible

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Pot of clay or other refractory material, used from ancient times as a container for melting metals or other materials. Modern crucibles may be small laboratory utensils for conducting high-temperature chemical reactions and analyses, or large industrial vessels for melting and calcining metal, ore, or glass, and may be made of clay, graphite, porcelain, or a relatively infusible metal.