An .alpha.-cyanoacrylate adhesive system, having an excellent fast setting property in the adhesion of hardly adhering materials and porous materials; having an excellent storage stability, even when a plastic material is used for at least a part of container for the adhesive composition, nozzle, cap and tube; using an .alpha.-cyanoacrylate adhesive composition comprising an .alpha.-cyanoacrylate and 0.05 to 5.0% by weight, based on said .alpha.-cyanoacrylate, of 12-crown-4-ether; and using a container for containing the adhesive composition, a nozzle and a cap, and optionally a tube for sending the adhesive composition to the nozzle, at least a part of said container, nozzle, cap and tube being made of a plastic material is provided.