3. A test of the most decisive kind; a severe trial; as, the crucible of affliction.
Hessian crucible (Chem.), a cheap, brittle, and fragile, but very refractory crucible, composed of the finest fire clay and sand, and commonly used for a single heating; -- named from the place of manufacture.
Cru"ci*fer (-f?r), n. [See Cruciferous.] (Bot.) Any plant of the order CruciferŠ.
Cru*cif"er*ous (kr?-s?f"?r-?s), a. [L. crux, crucis, cross + -ferous: cf. F. crucif&?;re.] 1. Bearing a cross.
2. (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a family of plants which have four petals arranged like the arms of a cross, as the mustard, radish, turnip, etc.
Cru"ci*fi`er (kr?"s?-f?`?r), n. One who crucifies; one who subjects himself or another to a painful trial.
Cru"ci*fix (kr?"s?-f?ks), n.; pl. Crucifixes (-&?;z). [F. crucifix or LL. crucifixum, fr. L. crux, crucis, cross + figere, fixum, to fix. See Cross, and Fix, and cf. Crucify.] 1. A representation in art of the figure of Christ upon the cross; esp., the sculptured figure affixed to a real cross of wood, ivory, metal, or the like, used by the Roman Catholics in their devotions.
The cross, too, by degrees, become the crucifix.
Milman.
And kissing oft her crucifix,
Unto the block she drew.
Warner.