Word: Cupel
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A cupel is a small, porous bowl made from bone ash. It is used in a process called assaying, which is a way to test and separate precious metals, like gold and silver, from other materials such as lead.
Usage Instructions:Cupels are primarily used in laboratories or metalworking environments where precious metals are tested. You would not commonly use this word in everyday conversation, but you might hear it in discussions about metallurgy or chemistry.
Example Sentence: "The scientist placed the lead sample in the cupel to extract the gold during the assaying process."
Advanced Usage: In more advanced discussions, you might encounter the term "cupellation," which refers to the process of refining precious metals using a cupel.
Word Variants: - Cupellation (noun): The process of refining metals using a cupel. - Cupellate (adjective): Relating to or resembling a cupel.
Different Meaning: In modern English, "cupel" does not have a widely recognized alternative meaning outside of its specific use in metallurgy.
Synonyms: - Assay cup - Refining bowl (though this is less common)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs commonly associated with "cupel," as it is a technical term used in a specific context.
In summary, a "cupel" is a specialized tool used by scientists and metalworkers to separate precious metals from other materials.