I. ˈkrakiŋ, -kēŋ adjective
Etymology: from present participle of crack (I)
: great , smashing
his dying was cracking relief — Elizabeth Bowen
a cracking regimental salute — Geoffrey Household
II. adverb
: superlatively — usually used with good
a cracking good show
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: from gerund of crack (I)
: a process in which relatively heavy hydrocarbons (as fuel oils and naphthas from petroleum) are broken up into lighter products (as gasoline and ethylene) by means of heat and usually pressure and sometimes catalysts — see catalytic cracking , thermal cracking