Cū'pel-lā'tion, n.

n. [See CUPEL.] The analyzing or refining of gold, silver, and other metals, in a cupel. ☞ The process consists in adding a small piece of lead to an alloy containing the metal to be analyzed or refined, and then, by the joint action of heat and air, oxidizing the copper, tin, &c., present; the oxides thus produced are dissolved and carried down into the porous cupel in a liquid state by the vitrified oxide of lead. Ure.