Crucible

(kroo'se-bl.) [Fr. creuset, from It. croginolo, an earthen melting-pot.] (Chem.) A ve el or melting pot used in chemical operations, and frequently made of clay, and so tempered and baked as to endure great heat. Silver, platina, and iron C. are occasionally used, and, in melting platinum, a lime C. For fluidizing gold and silver, C. are made in great part of plumbago.- (Metall.) A receptacle for molten metal at the vent of a furnace. [s. 248]