WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Cru"ci*ble (kr"s-b'l)
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [LL. crucubulum 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, LG. kr, hanging lamp, kroos, kruus, mug, jug, jar, D. kroes cup, crucible, Dan
Definition : 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.

2. A hollow place at the bottom of a furnace, to receive the melted metal.

3. A test of the most decisive kind; a severe trial; as, the crucible of affliction. 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913