kettle

• Récipient, généralement en métal, utilisé pour faire bouillir de l'eau ou cuire des aliments ; également, une dépression géologique formée par la fonte de glace, ou un grand instrument de musique à percussion en laiton ou en cuivre.

A noun referring to a container, typically made of metal, used for boiling water or cooking, or a geological hollow formed by melting ice, or a large brass or copper percussion instrument.

1. Container for boilingA1formal

   A metal or plastic container with a lid, used for boiling water or cooking food.

   Récipient pour faire bouillir

   • She put the kettle on to make tea.
   • The kettle whistled when the water boiled.
   • He filled the kettle with fresh water.

   Synonymesboilercauldronpotsaucepanteakettle

2. Kettle's capacityB1formal

   The amount of liquid that a kettle can hold.

   contenance d'une bouilloire

   • Add one kettle of water to the soup.
   • The recipe requires a full kettle of broth.
   • He poured a kettle of hot water into the basin.

   Synonymeskettleful

3. Geological depressionC1formalscientific

   A hollow in the ground, often filled with a lake, formed by the melting of a block of ice left behind by a retreating glacier.

   Dépression géologique (marmite glaciaire)

   • The landscape is dotted with kettles from the last ice age.
   • Geologists studied the formation of the kettle lake.
   • The kettle was filled with crystal clear water.

   Synonymeskettle hole

4. Musical instrumentB2formalart

   A large, hemispherical brass or copper drum with a skin head that can be tuned, used in orchestras.

   Timbale (instrument de musique)

   • The percussionist tuned the kettle before the concert.
   • The orchestra featured two kettles in the symphony.
   • He played a powerful rhythm on the kettle.

   Synonymeskettledrum