kettle
/ˈkɛtəl/
NOUN
1. A vessel for boiling liquids
A container, usually made of metal or another heat-resistant material, used for boiling water or other liquids.
1.1. Household water-boiling appliance
A container designed specifically for heating and boiling water, commonly used to prepare tea, coffee, and other hot drinks.
Synonyms
- teakettle
- tea kettle
- boiler
Examples
- She filled the kettle with water and switched it on to make tea.
- The electric kettle automatically shuts off when the water reaches boiling point.
- He placed the kettle on the stove to prepare hot water for coffee.
Related Words
1.2. Cooking and heating vessel
A large or specialized vessel used for heating, boiling, or cooking liquids and food, particularly over a fire or industrial heat source.
Synonyms
- boiler
- cauldron
- pot
- vat
Examples
- The cook prepared the broth in a large iron kettle.
- The workers heated the liquid in an industrial kettle.
- A cast-iron kettle hung above the fireplace.
Related Words
- cooking vessel
- cooking pot
- kitchenware
- steam boiler
- stockpot
- cooking equipment
NOUN
2. The quantity contained in a kettle
The amount of liquid or other contents that a kettle can hold or that it contains.
2.1. Amount of liquid held
Refers to a quantity or full container of liquid measured by the capacity of a kettle.
Synonyms
- kettleful
Examples
- She poured a kettle of boiling water into the large cooking pot.
- The recipe requires a kettleful of hot water.
Related Words
NOUN
3. A depression or hollow in the landscape
A natural hollow or depression in the ground, particularly one formed by glacial activity or erosion.
3.1. Glacial kettle hole
A bowl-shaped depression formed when a buried block of glacial ice melts, leaving a hollow in the surrounding sediment.
Synonyms
- kettle hole
- pothole
- basin
- hollow
- depression
Examples
- The natural kettle in the glacial landscape gradually filled with water.
- Several kettle holes formed after the buried ice blocks melted.
- The researchers studied the vegetation surrounding the kettle.
Related Words
NOUN
4. A group of soaring birds
A group of birds of prey circling together while riding rising currents of warm air, especially during migration.
4.1. Migrating birds of prey
A gathering of raptors circling within a thermal updraft to gain altitude and conserve energy while traveling.
Synonyms
- group of raptors
- flock of raptors
Examples
- A kettle of hawks circled high above the valley.
- The birdwatchers spotted a large kettle of migrating raptors riding a thermal.
Related Words
NOUN
5. A steam locomotive
A steam-powered railway locomotive, particularly in informal or historical usage.
5.1. Steam railway locomotive
An informal or colloquial reference to a steam locomotive that operates using steam pressure generated by heating water.
Synonyms
- steam locomotive
- steam engine
Examples
- The old kettle pulled a line of passenger carriages through the countryside.
- Railway enthusiasts gathered to photograph the restored steam kettle.
Related Words
NOUN
6. A kettledrum
A large percussion instrument consisting of a bowl-shaped resonating body covered by a stretched membrane, also known as a timpani.
6.1. Musical percussion instrument
A pitched percussion instrument with a deep bowl-shaped body and adjustable drumhead, commonly used in orchestras.
Synonyms
- kettledrum
- timpani
- tympani
Examples
- The musician struck the kettle to produce a deep resonant sound.
- The orchestra used several kettles to create dramatic rhythmic effects.
Related Words
NOUN
7. A group of demonstrators confined by police
A group of protesters or demonstrators surrounded and contained by police within a restricted area to prevent movement.
7.1. Police containment of protesters
Refers to a group of demonstrators who are surrounded by police and prevented from leaving a confined area, particularly during public demonstrations.
Synonyms
- police containment
- containment
- police cordon
Examples
- The protesters remained in the kettle for several hours before police allowed them to leave.
- Human rights organizations criticized the use of a kettle during the demonstration.
Related Words
- kettling
- demonstration
- protest
- crowd control
- policing
- public order
- detention
NOUN
8. A fishweir or fishing enclosure
A traditional fishing structure resembling a fence or enclosure, designed to guide or trap fish.
8.1. Traditional fish-trapping structure
A fixed fishing installation made from interwoven branches, stakes, or other materials and arranged to direct fish into an enclosure.
Synonyms
Examples
- The traditional kettle was constructed along the river to catch migrating fish.
- Archaeologists discovered remains of an ancient fish kettle near the riverbank.
Related Words
VERB
9. To confine demonstrators within a restricted area
To surround and contain a group of protesters or demonstrators within a limited area, preventing them from leaving.
9.1. Police crowd containment
Describes the police practice of surrounding a crowd and restricting its movement within a confined space during demonstrations or public disturbances.
Synonyms
- contain
- confine
- corral
- encircle
- surround
- pen in
- bottle up
Antonyms
Examples
- Police kettled the demonstrators in the square during the protest.
- The officers were instructed not to kettle peaceful marchers.
- The crowd was kettled between two lines of police officers.
Related Words
- kettling
- crowd control
- police cordon
- demonstration
- public order
- containment