English Explanatory Dictionary

cauldron

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A large bowl-shaped pot used for boiling over an open flame.
  2. A type of encirclement.
  3. An unsettled or difficult situation or place.

Pronunciation

/ˈkɔːl.dɹən/ /ˈkəʊl.dɹən/ en-us-cauldron.ogg en-au-cauldron.ogg

Word forms

cauldron cauldrons caldron caudron cawdron caadron

Etymology

From Middle English caudroun, borrowed from Old Northern French caudron, ultimately from Late Latin caldāria (“cooking-pot”), from Latin caldus (“hot”). Spelling later Latinized by having an l inserted. See chowder, caldera. The military sense is a semantic loan from German Kessel; compare English kettling.

Synonyms

kettle pickle ass in a sling bind bucket of syrup calvary cauldron cross cross to bear difficulty dilemma dire straits doghouse fix hole jam kettle of fish ordeal pinch plight predicament quandary quagmire situation spot spot of bother sticky situation sticky wicket tight spot trouble

Related words

calorie chowder caldera scald coddle out of the frying pan, into the fire

Derived words

cauldron arse cauldron battle cauldron bottom cauldronful cauldronlike witches' cauldron
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