crucible

English

Etymology

From Latin crucibulum (“night-lamp, metallurgic melting-pot”), apparently a derivative of crux (“cross”), perhaps by analogy to thūribulum (“censer”) and suffix -bulum.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈkɹuː.sɪ.bəl/

Noun

crucible (plural crucibles)

  1. (chemistry) A cup-shaped piece of laboratory equipment used to contain chemical compounds when heating them to very high temperatures.
  2. A heat-resistant container in which metals are melted, usually at temperatures above 500°C, commonly made of graphite with clay as a binder.
  3. The bottom and hottest part of a blast furnace; the hearth.
  4. (figuratively) A very difficult and trying experience, that acts as a refining or hardening process.

Translations
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