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Noun: crucible  kroo-su-bul
  1. A vessel made of material that does not melt easily; used for high temperature chemical reactions
    "The alchemist heated the mixture in a ceramic crucible";
    - melting pot
     
  2. A severe test or trial
    "The young nation faced its crucible during the civil war"

Derived forms: crucibles

Type of: vessel

Encyclopedia: Crucible, Pennsylvania