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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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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