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.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD