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cracking
[ krak-ing ]
noun
- (in the distillation of petroleum or the like) the process of breaking down certain hydrocarbons into simpler ones of lower boiling points by means of excess heat, distillation under pressure, etc., in order to give a greater yield of low-boiling products than could be obtained by simple distillation. Compare catalytic cracking.
adverb
- extremely; unusually:
We saw a cracking good match at the stadium.
adjective
- done with precision; smart:
A cracking salute from the honor guard.
cracking
/ ˈæɪŋ /
adjective
- informal.prenominal fast; vigorous (esp in the phrase a cracking pace )
- get cracking informal.to start doing something quickly or do something with increased speed
adverb
- informal.first-class; excellent
a cracking good match
noun
- the process in which molecules are cracked, esp the oil-refining process in which heavy oils are broken down into hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight by heat or catalysis See also catalytic cracker
cracking
- The process of breaking down complex chemical compounds by heating them. Sometimes a catalyst is added to lower the amount of heat needed for the reaction. Cracking is used especially for breaking petroleum molecules into shorter molecules and to extract low-boiling fractions, such as gasoline, from petroleum.
- See also hydrocracking
Word History and Origins
Idioms and Phrases
- get cracking. crack ( def 54 ).
Example Sentences
On cracking them open, he and his parents discovered they were full of Jurassic creatures.
“He’s cracking jokes and engaging with the waitress, just loving life.”
For weeks, they’ve been scouring their homes and cracking open their safes to retrieve vintage necklaces, family heirlooms and other expensive pieces containing the precious metal that can be melted for cash.
This is going to be a cracking game, and also a feisty one with what is at stake in the top-five race.
Best joke of the sketch: the hosts cracking up with laughter at the thought of paying back student loans.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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