kettle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɛt(ə)l/

noun

  • 1a metal or plastic container with a lid, spout, and handle, used for boiling water. See also fish kettle.
  • 2a bowl- or saucer-shaped container in which operations are carried out on metals or other substances with a low melting point.

Phrases

a different kettle of fish

informal a completely different type of person or thing from the one previously mentioned: he’s certainly a different kettle of fish from old Rowell

the pot calling the kettle black

see pot1.

a pretty (or fine) kettle of fish

informal an awkward state of affairs: when Carla was back in Rome, she found a pretty kettle of fish

Derivatives

kettleful

noun (plural kettlefuls)

Origin:

Old English cetel, cietel, of Germanic origin, based on Latin catillus, diminutive of catinus 'deep container for cooking or serving food'. In Middle English the word's form was influenced by Old Norse ketill