Verb

ein|kesseln

to encircle, to surround, to kettle (police tactic)

Die Armee kesselte die feindlichen Truppen ein.

The army encircled the enemy troops.

Die Polizei kesselte die Demonstranten ein.

The police kettled the demonstrators.

((sb./sth.)) to encircle/kettle sb./sth. The police kettled the demonstrators.

Synonyms: umzingeln (to surround), umschließen (to enclose), einschließen (to lock in).

From 'ein-' (in) and 'Kessel' (kettle, cauldron). The idea is to trap someone as if in a kettle.

Picture trapping someone 'in' ('ein') a giant 'kettle' ('Kessel') from which there is no escape.

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