2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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 
 
  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  crucible 
  n  :  a  vessel  of  heat-resisting  material  used  for  high 
  temperature  chemical  reactions  [syn:  {melting  pot}] 

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