Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » crucible

crucible

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of a crucible is a vessel or container made of materials that resist great heat.

(noun)

An example of a crucible is a container made of graphite or porcelain that melts only at very high temperatures.

See crucible in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a container made of a substance that can resist great heat, for melting, fusing, or calcining ores, metals, etc.
the hollow at the bottom of an ore furnace, where the molten metal collects
a severe test or trial

Origin: ML crucibulum, lamp, crucible, prob. < Gmc, as in OE cruce, pot, jug, MHG kruse, earthen pot (see cruse) + L suffix -ibulum (as in thuribulum, censer), but assoc. by folk etym. with L crux, cross, as if lamp burning before cross

See crucible in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A vessel made of a refractory substance such as graphite or porcelain, used for melting and calcining materials at high temperatures.
A severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial. See Synonyms at trial.
A place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces: “Macroeconomics . . . was cast in the crucible of the Depression” (Peter Passell).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English crusible

Origin: , from Medieval Latin crūcibulum, night-light, crucible

Origin: , possibly from Old French croisuel, cresset; see cresset

Learn more about crucible

crucible synonyms

crucible science

crucible in a sentence

crucible quotes

link/cite print suggestion box