kettle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
    boiler.
  2. noun the quantity a kettle will hold
    kettleful.
  3. noun (geology) a hollow (typically filled by a lake) that results from the melting of a mass of ice trapped in glacial deposits
    kettle hole.
  4. noun a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it
    timpani; kettledrum; tympanum; tympani.

WordNet

Ket"tle noun
Etymology
OE. ketel; cf. AS. cetel, cetil, cytel; akin to D. kjedel, G. kessel, OHG. chezzil, Icel. ketill, SW. kittel, Dan. kjedel, Goth. katils; all perh. fr. L. catillus, dim. of catinus a deep vessel, bowl; but cf. also OHG. chezzi kettle, Icel. kati small ship.
Definitions
  1. A metallic vessel, with a wide mouth, often without a cover, used for heating and boiling water or other liguids.

Webster 1913