[cru.ci.ble] n [ME corusible, fr. ML crucibulum earthen pot for melting metals] (15c) 1: a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat
2: a severe test
3: a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development "conditioned by having grown up within the ~ of Chinatown --Tom Wolfe"