Cru'ci-ble, n.

n. [L. Lat. crucibulum, a hanging lamp, an earthen pot for melting metals, It. crociuolo, crogiuolo, Sp. crisol, Pg. crisol, chrysol, O. Fr. cruisel, croisel, creuscul, croisel, now creuset, Pr. crool, lamp, melting-pot, furnace, O. H. Ger. krû-sul, L. Ger. krüsel, hanging-lamp of poor people, L. Lat. cruselinum, crusolium, little earthen drinking vessel; probably from L. Ger. kroos, kruus, mug, jug, jar, D. kroos, cup, crucible, Dan. kruse, Sw. krus, Eng. cruse, q. v. According to some etymologists, it is derived from Lat. crux, cross, because these pots were marked with a cross, to prevent the devil from marring the chemical operation.]

1Sense 1. A chemical vessel or melting-pot, capable of enduring great heat without injury, and used for melting ores, metals, &c. It is commonly made of clay, or of clay compounded with other materials, as black-lead; sometimes of platinum or other metals.

Crucibles.

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