Separation of gold or silver from impurities by melting the impure metal in a cupel (a flat, porous dish made of a refractory material) and directing a blast of hot air on it in a special furnace. The impurities, including lead, copper, tin, and other unwanted metals, are oxidized and partly vaporized and partly absorbed into the pores of the cupel
cupel
الواصلة
cu·pel
النطق
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[ kyü-'pel, 'kyü-p& ] (noun.) 1605. From French coupelle, mediaeval Latin cupella, diminutive of cupa ‘cask’.