ETYM Late Lat. crucibulum a hanging lamp, an earthen pot for melting metals (cf. Old Fren. croisel, creuseul, sort of lamp, crucible, French creuset crucible), prob. of German origin.
Vessel for fusing metals; melting-pot.
A vessel of heat-resisting material used for high temperature chemical reactions; SYN. melting pot.
1. Vaisseau de terre ou de métal, qui sert ŕ faire fondre certaines substances, et principalement les métaux.
2. (Au figuré) Lieu, pays, oů l'on trouve une population mélangée.
The, Drama by Arthur Miller 1953. Inspired by the contemporary McCarthy persecutions of artists and writers, Miller dramatized the story of the Salem witch-hunt in Puritan New England, 1692. John Proctor attempts to take a stand against a rising tide of superstitious violence but is undermined by the guilt he feels about his affair with a young girl, Abigail. Although admitting to his lechery, Proctor ultimately refuses to confess to being in league with the Devil and is hanged.