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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.
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2. A hollow place at the bottom of a furnace, to receive the
melted metal.
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3. A test of the most decisive kind; a severe trial; as, the
crucible of affliction.
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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.
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