n. [ 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. chezzī kettle, Icel. kati small ship. ] A metallic vessel, with a wide mouth, often without a cover, used for heating and boiling water or other liguids. [ 1913 Webster ]

Kettle pins, ninepins; skittles. [ Obs. ] Shelton. --
Kettle stitch (Bookbinding), the stitch made in sewing at the head and tail of a book. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Mus.) A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Kettledrums, in pairs, were formerly used in martial music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to orchestras, where they are called tympani. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. Drum, n., 4 and 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who plays on a kettledrum. [ 1913 Webster ]