crucible

[ kroo-suh-buhl ]

noun

1. a container of metal or refractory material employed for heating substances to high temperatures.
2. Metallurgy. a hollow area at the bottom of a furnace in which the metal collects.
3. a severe, searching test or trial.

crucible

¹

/ ˈkruːsɪbəl /

noun

1. a vessel in which substances are heated to high temperatures
2. the hearth at the bottom of a metallurgical furnace in which the metal collects
3. a severe trial or test

Crucible

²

/ ˈkruːsɪbəl /

noun

1. the Crucible
   a Sheffield theatre, venue of the annual world professional snooker championship

crucible

/ kro̅o̅′sə-bəl /

1. A heat-resistant container used to melt ores, metals, and other materials.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crucible¹

1400–50; late Middle English crusible, corusible < Medieval Latin crucibulum; compare Anglo-French crusil, Old French croi-suel, croisol night lamp, crucible < Gallo-Romance *croceolus (of uncertain origin), probably Latinized on the model of tūribulum thurible

Word History and Origins

Origin of crucible¹

C15 corusible, from Medieval Latin crūcibulum night lamp, crucible, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

You had to get through a crucible to get there.

From Slate

I think we all had hoped that the crucible that we would need to get through to reach that fourth founding was the past eight years and that, come January, we would begin turning the page into that season of rebirth.

From Slate

At the time, Howard was a crucible of political activism.

From Los Angeles Times

On the set of “Building the Band,” where Payne was a celebrity mentor to contestants and McLean the host — the two forged an unusually tight bond over their shared experience: starting their careers in the crucible of teen celebrity and later battling substance abuse.

From Los Angeles Times

The pop star’s shocking death placed a tragic spotlight on the ups and downs of the One Direction member who struggled most acutely to chart a post-boy-band course, and renewed age-old questions about how to support troubled young artists caught in the crucible of modern fame — as well as hold them accountable.

From Los Angeles Times