cru·ci·ble /ˈkrusəbəl/
  坩鍋,嚴酷的考驗
  cru·ci·ble /ˈkrusəbəl/ 名詞
  坩堝,熔鍋,嚴格的考驗
  Cru·ci·ble n.
  1. A vessel or melting pot, composed of some very refractory substance, as clay, graphite, platinum, and used for melting and calcining substances which require a strong degree of heat, as metals, ores, etc.
  2. A hollow place at the bottom of a furnace, to receive the melted metal.
  3. A test of the most decisive kind; a severe trial; as, the crucible of affliction.
  Hessian crucible Chem., a cheap, brittle, and fragile, but very refractory crucible, composed of the finest fire clay and sand, and commonly used for a single heating; -- named from the place of manufacture.
  ◄ ►
  crucible
       n : a vessel made of material that does not melt easily; used
           for high temperature chemical reactions [syn: melting
           pot]