Cupel \Cu"pel\ (k[=u]"p[e^]l), n. [LL. cupella cup (cf. L. cupella, small cask, dim. of cupa) : cf. F. coupelle. See Cup, and cf. Coblet.]

A shallow porous cup, used in refining precious metals, commonly made of bone ashes (phosphate of lime). [Written also coppel.]

Cupel dust, powder used in purifying metals.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Cupel \Cu*pel"\ (k[-u]*p[e^]l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cupelled (-p?ld"); p. pr. & vb. n. Cupelling.]

To refine by means of a cupel.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)