Definable

Crucible:
1. A severe test or trial as of patience or belief
2. A place, time, situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development.

I think Arthur Miller titled his book "The Crucible" because a crucible is a severe test. The Salem Witch Trials were basically one big test. The trial was testing the beliefs of the town accused towns people. Miller could've also named his play "The Crucible" because it was a time of change influenced by certain people. In this case the force would be Abigail. She influences the rest of the girls in Salem causing madness. The court attempts to change the town by getting rid of all evil therefore he named it the crucible