Crucible
Heat-resistant container
A crucible is a container that can withstand extreme heat, used for melting metals or other materials.
The word extends to any severe test or trial that transforms what passes through it: The crucible of war forged unlikely alliances.
Arthur Miller's play *The Crucible* uses the Salem witch trials as a metaphor for McCarthyism, reinforcing the word's association with harsh ordeals that reveal character.
Evaluative examination
- ordealDifficult, painful experience
- tribulationState of great distress
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- challengeTest of ability
adversity · transformation · endurance · proving · struggle · refining · purification · pressure
Enclosed heat-producing structure
- moltenLiquefied by extreme heat
- smeltOre-refining process
- forgeFurnace for shaping metal
- ladleDeep spoon for serving
refractory · kiln · foundry · heat · casting · ore · slag · alloy
Laboratory measuring container
- glasswareDrinking containers of silica
- PyrexHeat-resistant glassware brand
- reagentSubstance prompting chemical change
- BunsenLab burner eponym
chemistry · experiment · titration · porcelain · evaporation · heating · dish · analysis
Occupational surname for grain-grinders
- SalemCity or name
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- McCarthyismPolitically-motivated accusation without evidence
persecution · hysteria · Abigail · drama · puritan · accusation · confession · integrity
Act of rotating
- catalystAgent enabling change
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- nexusConnecting central point
- flashpointIgnition temperature threshold
birthplace · cauldron · hotbed · convergence · genesis · inception · seedbed · nucleus
test
Evaluative examination
- ordealDifficult, painful experience
- tribulationState of great distress
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
challenge · adversity · transformation · endurance · proving · struggle · refining · purification · pressure · growth
furnace
Enclosed heat-producing structure
ladle · refractory · kiln · foundry · heat · casting · ore · slag · alloy · temper
beaker
Laboratory measuring container
- glasswareDrinking containers of silica
- PyrexHeat-resistant glassware brand
- reagentSubstance prompting chemical change
Bunsen · chemistry · experiment · titration · porcelain · evaporation · heating · dish · analysis · solution
Miller
Occupational surname for grain-grinders
- SalemCity or name
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
McCarthyism · persecution · hysteria · Abigail · drama · puritan · accusation · confession · integrity · theocracy
turning
Act of rotating
flashpoint · birthplace · cauldron · hotbed · convergence · genesis · inception · seedbed · nucleus · hub
Cruciblecomfort zone
Psychological ease boundary
safe harbor · safe haven · sanctuary · bed of roses · bubble
- The CrucibleDrama about witch accusations
- crucible steelAlloy melted in sealed pots
crucify, crucified, crucifying, crucifixion, crucifix, crucial, crucially, cruciate, cruciform