n. a vessel, usu. of metal with a lid, spout, and handle, for boiling water in.
Phrases and idioms:
kettle hole a depression in the ground in a glaciated area. a pretty kettle of fish an awkward state of affairs.
Derivatives:
kettleful n. (pl. -fuls).
Etymology: ME f. ON ketill ult. f. L catillus dimin. of catinus deep food-vessel