cauldron

also n.

1. A large vessel, such as a kettle or vat, used for boiling.
2. A state or situation of great distress or unrest felt to resemble a boiling kettle or vat: a cauldron of conflicting corporate politics.

[Middle English, alteration of cauderon, from Norman French, diminutive of caudiere, cooking pot, from Late Latin caldāria, from feminine of Latin caldārius, suitable for warming, from calidus, warm.]

[Ar]

A large metal bowl with a rounded base used for cooking and serving food. Two types of bronze cauldrons are known from the later Bronze Age of northwest Europe: Class A with necks, usually ribbed, whose bodies are made from three sheets of bronze, one circular in form to made the bottom and the other two rectangular to make the sides; and Class B which lack necks and are made from numerous small rectangular sheets of bronze riveted together. Both types are fitted with a pair of free-moving ring-handles to allow them to be suspended over a fire or source of heat.

The cauldron was widely used in the Celtic nations from ancient to medieval times, as abundant archaeological and literary evidence testifies. The best-known surviving cauldron from ancient times is the ornately decorated silver one possibly made in Gaul and found at Gundestrup, Denmark, for which it is now named. It may be a Rosetta Stone for interpreting both mythology and literature; see GUNDESTRUP CAULDRON. Cauldrons were used for domestic and sacrificial as well as other ritual purposes. At the same time it is clear that the cauldron was a prestige possession and restricted for the most part to the homes of the rich. It could symbolize both plenty and the powers of resuscitation, and could have implied powers over fertility. The ruler of the Otherworld characteristically has a cauldron in his role as dispenser of feasts. The Bruidne or feasting-halls of Ireland were equipped with inexhaustible cauldrons. Not surprisingly, then, many commentators have seen links between the cauldron of Celtic tradition and the Arthurian Grail.

There are many famous cauldrons in Celtic narrative. The cauldron of the Dagda was one of the treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The cauldron of Gwigawd was one of the treasures of Britain. The Partholonians of Brea had the first cauldron in Ireland. Cúchulainn twice brought magic cauldrons back from Scotland. Ceridwen had a cauldron of inspiration or wisdom from which Gwion Bach tasted before he became Taliesin. A cauldron of regeneration attracts much attention in Branwen, the second branch of the Welsh Mabinogi. Bendigeidfran obtains it mysteriously in Ireland, and gives it to Matholwch in compensation for the mischief of Efnisien. Other cauldrons belonged to Diwrnach of Ireland in the Welsh story of Culhwch ac Olwen; Arawn, king of Annwfn; and the historical king of early Scotland (Fifeshire), Eochaid Buide.

IN BRIEF: A large pot or kettle.

Onions and garlic were added to the stew in the cauldron.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - kedel, heksekedel

Nederlands (Dutch)
(heksen)ketel

Français (French)
n. - chaudron

Deutsch (German)
n. - Kessel

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - καζάνι, χύτρα

Italiano (Italian)
calderone, caldaia

Português (Portuguese)
n. - caldeirão (m), caldeira (f)

Русский (Russian)
котел

Español (Spanish)
n. - caldera, calderón

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - kittel

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
大锅, 大汽锅

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 大鍋, 大汽鍋

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 큰 솥

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 大釜, 沸騰する釜

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) مرجل, قدر كبير‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮קדירה, יורה‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.