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

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

From Los Angeles Times

In the crucible of Lebanon’s civil war, it emerged as an Iran-backed group of Shiite fighters — inspired by the 1979 Iranian revolution — that aimed to protect the country’s marginalized Shiites and fight Israel’s occupation.

From Los Angeles Times

Westminster is a perpetually noisy place and so it should be - a crucible of argument and disagreement.

From BBC

Forged in the crucible of violence, the criminalized and impoverished still call out for a true peace.

From Salon

After the last pour finished, the crucible was set aside to cool.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Crucible

What does crucible mean?

A crucible is a severe test or trial or an extremely challenging experience.

This figurative sense of crucible is based on the literal meaning of the word: a heat-resistant container used to melt metals. Crucible in the literal sense is used in the context of metallurgy, the science of working with and refining metals. The word is perhaps best known from its use as the title of the 1953 play The Crucible by Arthur Miller.

Example: Their friendship was forged in the crucible of boot camp.

Where does crucible come from?

Crucible is first recorded in English in the 1400s. It comes from the Medieval Latin crucibulum, which meant “pot used for melting metals” or “night lamp,” but its ultimate origin is uncertain. The first part of the word may be based on the root cruci-, meaning “cross-shaped” (as in crucifix), but it’s not known for sure.

Crucibles have been used for at least hundreds of years. In the Middle Ages, when the practice of alchemy was turning into chemistry, early scientists used different forms of crucibles to perform experiments with metals. During the American gold rush, makeshift crucibles were used to process gold.

The figurative use of crucible is closely associated with Miller’s play, which uses the Salem Witch Trials of the late 1690s as a metaphor for the persecution of supposed Communist sympathizers in the United States (known as McCarthyism) that was happening around the time the play was written. However, crucible has been used to mean “a severe test” since the 1600s. Crucible is usually applied to a situation that tests a person’s character and perhaps changes them forever. The association of extreme heat with extremely challenging experiences can be found in many other expressions, such as trial by fire.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for crucible?

• cauldron
• trial

What are some words that often get used in discussing crucible?

• challenge
• metal
• metallurgy
• alloy
• ore
• forge
• play
• Arthur Miller

 

How is crucible used in real life?

Crucible is most commonly used to refer to situations that represent an extreme trial for someone, especially one that tests their courage or preparedness.

Good night, future legend!
Today's struggle, tomorrow's strife-
just the beginning of your story,
the crucible from which you emerge. Go!

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) September 7, 2017

Any kind of encounter with adversity or limitation, at any age, can serve as the crucible for forging the attitude [of fearlessness].

— Robert Greene (@RobertGreene) March 14, 2018

Great win for the Terps. You know what I loved the most? In the crucible of the moment, it wasn't Anthony Cowan, Jr. against the world, going 1 on 9. He brought it out, the ball moved and boom-shaka-laka, Darryl Morsell with the deep 3 to complete a 17-point comeback. #Terps

— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) February 27, 2020

 

 

Try using crucible!

When used in its literal sense, crucible appears in the context of what practice?

A. metallurgy
B. baking
C. carpentry
D. painting