cracking
noun
- thermal or catalytic decomposition of a compound such as a hydrocarbon into chemical species of smaller molecular weight
- the process of breaking, but not into pieces, or breaking into (e.g. phone)
- act or process of making a cracking noise, making a joke
- hit
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L335696 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈkɹækɪŋ/
adj
Etymology: Etymology tree Middle English crakynge English cracking Inherited from Middle English crakynge.
- That cracks; that produces a sharp sound as of something splitting or breaking.
“From the spot where the body lay came a fierce fizzing and cracking sound, which ceased, however, before the fumes had cleared away.”
- Great; excellent.
“Near-synonym: crackerjack”
“The race started at a cracking pace.”
- Enjoyable.
“We had a cracking time.”
“Near the back of the concourse is a piano, [...]. Explains Reeve: "It was donated by a lady who had written to me. My Duty Manager at the time had a qualification and so was able to restore it to full working order. I've heard some cracking tunes on it."”
adv
Etymology: Etymology tree Middle English crakynge English cracking Inherited from Middle English crakynge.
- Very, usually associated with praise.
“It was a cracking good show.”
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Middle English crakynge English cracking Inherited from Middle English crakynge.
- The thermal decomposition of a substance, especially that of crude petroleum in order to produce petrol / gasoline.
- The formation of cracks on a surface.
- The production of a crack sound.
“the crackings of whips”
verb
Etymology: Etymology tree Middle English crakynge English cracking Inherited from Middle English crakynge.
- present participle and gerund of crack