| 释义 |
cru·ci·ble
I. \ˈkrüsəbəl\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English corusible, from Medieval Latin crucibulum, crucibolum small lamp, earthen pot for melting metals, probably by folk etymology (influence of Latin cruc-, crux cross, and turibulum thurible) from Old French croiseul — more at crusie
1. : a vessel or melting pot of some very refractory material (as clay, graphite, porcelain, or a relatively infusible metal) that may vary in size from a small laboratory utensil for chemical analysis to very large industrial equipment and that is used for melting and calcining a substance (as metal and ore) which requires a high degree of heat
2. : something that tests as if by fire : a severe test or trial
< crucible of affliction >
< crucible of war >
II. noun
: a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development
< conditioned by having grown up within the crucible of Chinatown — Tom Wolfe > |