cauldron

Everyday

1. A very large, deep metal pot for cooking over a fire, often shown in stories with witches. tree →
2. A place or situation full of violent feelings or wild activity («a cauldron of noise»). tree →
3. (sport) The large bowl in which the Olympic flame burns. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and fairy tales witches stir a bubbling cauldron of potion. In history lessons people cooked in cauldrons over open fires. In news and sport it describes a stadium full of noise or a tense situation. The Olympic cauldron is lit at the opening ceremony. It tells the reader about bubbling, heat or wild excitement.

Examples

• The witch stirred her bubbling cauldron. tree →
• In Viking times, families cooked stew in an iron cauldron. tree →
• The Olympic cauldron was lit by a young athlete. tree →
• The stadium was a cauldron of noise when the goal went in. tree →
• Steam rose from the cauldron over the campfire. tree →
• In Macbeth, three witches chant around a cauldron. tree →
• The classroom was a cauldron of excitement before the holidays. tree →
• Then the witch placed her cauldron on the fire, to prepare the magic draught. tree →

Note

Countable: a cauldron, cauldrons. Say «KORL-drun». The US also writes «caldron». Witches with cauldrons are from stories and folk tales, not real life.