cracking

American  

[krak-ing] / ˈkræk ɪŋ /

noun

1. (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.

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adverb

1. extremely; unusually.

   We saw a cracking good match at the stadium.

adjective

Informal.

1. done with precision; smart.

   A cracking salute from the honor guard.

idioms

1. get cracking. crack.

cracking British  

/ ˈkrækɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal (prenominal) fast; vigorous (esp in the phrase a cracking pace )

2. informal to start doing something quickly or do something with increased speed

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adverb

1. informal first-class; excellent

   a cracking good match

noun

1. 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 Scientific  

/ krăk′ĭng /

1. 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.

2. See also hydrocracking

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Etymology

Origin of cracking

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; crack, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

"We enjoy being with them. We are cracking jokes together. We cannot achieve anything without peace," he says.

From BBC

"We have a saying in the breakfast business that you can't make an omelet without cracking a few eggs, you know?" he said.

From Barron's

His voice cracking, Rivera added that he was happy that Huerta was able to speak out.

From The Wall Street Journal

BOGOTA, Colombia—They were on their feet long before the final out was recorded—beer sloshing, tri-color flags unfurling, voices cracking—and not just for Tuesday night’s baseball victory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then he pulled a rock from his cape and began cracking them.

From Literature

Related Words

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