noun
or verneuil method (ˈ)ver|nər-, -nə̄ē, F vernœœy
Etymology: after A. V. L. Verneuil, 19th century French mineralogist
: a procedure for growing large crystals (as of sapphire, ruby, spinel, or rutile) by adding the powdered material to the top of a rod the end of which is maintained at or close to the melting point by a flame directed vertically downward upon it