crack·ing (kr k ng)n. Thermal decomposition, sometimes with catalysis, of a complex substance, especially the breaking of petroleum molecules into shorter molecules to extract low-boiling fractions such as gasoline. adj. Excellent; great: had a cracking time at the dance. adv. Used as an intensive: a cracking good show. |
cracking Adjective
1. get cracking Informal to start doing something immediately
2. a cracking pace Informal a high speed
Adverb, adj
Brit informal first-class: five cracking good saves
Noun
the oil-refining process in which heavy oils are broken down into smaller molecules by heat or catalysis
cracking (kr k ng) 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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | cracking - a sudden sharp noise; "the crack of a whip"; "he heard the cracking of the ice"; "he can hear the snap of a twig"noise - sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound); "he enjoyed the street noises"; "they heard indistinct noises of people talking"; "during the firework display that ended the gala the noise reached 98 decibels" |
| 2. | cracking - the act of cracking something |
| 3. | cracking - the process whereby heavy molecules of naphtha or petroleum are broken down into hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight (especially in the oil-refining process)hydrocracking - the process whereby hydrocarbon molecules of petroleum are broken down into kerosene and gasolene by the addition of hydrogen under high pressure in the presence of a catalyst |
| Adj. | 1. | cracking - very good; "he did a bully job"; "a neat sports car"; "had a great time at the party"; "you look simply smashing"bang-up, bully, corking, dandy, nifty, not bad, peachy, slap-up, smashing, swell, groovy, keen, great, neat colloquialism - a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech good - having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified; "good news from the hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table"; "a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the office" |