kettle

Everyday

A container with a lid, a handle and a spout, used for boiling water. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, kettles boil water for tea, hot chocolate and cooking; electric kettles switch off when the water boils. In science, the steam from a kettle shows water changing from liquid to gas at 100 degrees Celsius. In safety lessons, children learn that kettles, steam and hot water can cause bad burns; keep the cord away from the edge. Phrases: put the kettle on, boil the kettle, electric kettle, a different kettle of fish.

Examples

• Mum put the kettle on for tea. tree →
• The kettle whistled when the water boiled. tree →
• Steam came out of the kettle's spout. tree →
• Never touch a hot kettle. tree →
• Keep the kettle cord away from the counter edge. tree →
• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. tree →
• That's a different kettle of fish. tree →
• But something was the matter with the kettle. tree →

Note

Countable. Double t: k-e-t-t-l-e. "Put the kettle on" is a very common phrase in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand meaning "let's make a hot drink". Safety: steam burns too; if you get a burn, cool it under cool running water for 20 minutes and tell an adult. "A different kettle of fish" means a different matter.

In Jewish tradition

Here it is a cooking pot used at the sanctuary at Shiloh for boiling the sacrificial meat.

Interpretation. The story shows how Eli's sons took more of the offering than the law allowed. The tradition calls this a great sin.

Examples

• and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the flesh-hook brought up the priest took therewith. (Prophets 1SA.2.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Double t: k-e-t-t-l-e. "Put the kettle on" is a very common phrase in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand meaning "let's make a hot drink". Safety: steam burns too; if you get a burn, cool it under cool running water for 20 minutes and tell an adult. "A different kettle of fish" means a different matter.