Dictionary
cru•ci•ble
Pronunciation: (krOO'su-bul), [key]—
n.
1. a container of metal or refractory material employed for heating substances to high temperatures.
2. Metall.a hollow area at the bottom of a furnace in which the metal collects.
3. a severe, searching test or trial.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.