cupel noun & verb. ['kju:p(ǝ)l] Also coppel. E17.
[French coupelle dim. of coupe CUP noun: see -EL².]
A. noun. A shallow vessel made of a refractory material which absorbs impurities when gold or silver is melted in it. E17.
fig.:
■ Disraeli Money is to be the cupel of their worth.
b. verb trans. Infl. -ll-, -l-. Assay or refine in a cupel; subject to cupellation. M17.

■ cupe'llation noun assaying or refining using a cupel; separation of silver from lead in this way: L17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲