cracking
[ krak-ing ]
/ ˈkræk ɪŋ /
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 Informal.
done with precision; smart: A cracking salute from the honor guard.
Idioms for cracking
get cracking.
crack(def 54).
Words nearby cracking
crackers,
cracket,
crackhead,
crackhouse,
crackie,
cracking,
crackjaw,
crackle,
crackleware,
crackling,
crackly
Definition for cracking (2 of 2)
Origin of crack
before 1000; Middle English
crak(k)en (v.),
crak (noun), Old English
cracian to resound; akin to German
krachen, Dutch
kraken (v.), and German
Krach, Dutch
krak (noun)
OTHER WORDS FROM crack
crack·a·ble, adjective crack·less, adjectiveExample sentences from the Web for cracking
British Dictionary definitions for cracking (1 of 2)
cracking
/ (ˈkrækɪŋ) /
adjective
(prenominal) informal
fast; vigorous (esp in the phrase a cracking pace)
get cracking informal
to start doing something quickly or do something with increased speed
adverb, adjective
British 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
British Dictionary definitions for cracking (2 of 2)
crack
/ (kræk) /
verb
noun
adjective
(prenominal) slang
first-class; excellent
a crack shot
Word Origin for crack
Old English
cracian; related to Old High German
krahhōn, Dutch
kraken, Sanskrit
gárjati he roars
Scientific definitions for cracking
cracking
[ krăk′ĭng ]
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.
Idioms and Phrases with cracking
crack