cracking

American  

[krak-ing] / ˈkræk ɪŋ /

noun

1. (in the distillation of petroleum or the like) the process of breaking down certain hydrocarbons into simpler ones of lower boiling points by means of excess heat, distillation under pressure, etc., in order to give a greater yield of low-boiling products than could be obtained by simple distillation.

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adverb

1. extremely; unusually.

   We saw a cracking good match at the stadium.

adjective

Informal.

1. done with precision; smart.

   A cracking salute from the honor guard.

idioms

1. get cracking. crack.

cracking British  

/ ˈkrækɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal (prenominal) fast; vigorous (esp in the phrase a cracking pace )

2. informal to start doing something quickly or do something with increased speed

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adverb

1. informal first-class; excellent

   a cracking good match

noun

1. the process in which molecules are cracked, esp the oil-refining process in which heavy oils are broken down into hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight by heat or catalysis See also catalytic cracker

cracking Scientific  

/ krăk′ĭng /

1. The process of breaking down complex chemical compounds by heating them. Sometimes a catalyst is added to lower the amount of heat needed for the reaction. Cracking is used especially for breaking petroleum molecules into shorter molecules and to extract low-boiling fractions, such as gasoline, from petroleum.

2. See also hydrocracking

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Etymology

Origin of cracking

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; crack, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

The data suggest “a labor market that is cooling gradually — not cracking,” said Matthew Martin, senior economist at Oxford Economics.

From MarketWatch

Big, small, lumpy, cracking—none of them in their best shape, but each a treasure to Clare.

From Literature

Woods has grown comfortable with his aging, quasi-emeritus role, cracking wise about the sport’s up-and-comers and his various old man ailments.

From The Wall Street Journal

And, since Caine couldn’t get the hang of it, it’s Deighton’s hand seen in the movie cracking eggs into a bowl.

From The Wall Street Journal

A group of lawyers is backing new legislation in Sacramento aimed at cracking down on misconduct, including harsher penalties for illegally recruiting clients.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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