I. ˈhēl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hēla; akin to Old Norse hæll heel, Old English hōh — more at hock
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the back of the human foot below the ankle and behind the arch
b. : the part of the hind limb of other vertebrates that is homologous with the human heel
2. : an anatomical structure suggestive of the human heel ; especially : the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist
3. : one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread
4.
a. : the part (as of a shoe) that covers the human heel
b. : a solid attachment of a shoe or boot forming the back of the sole under the heel of the foot
5. : a rear, low, or bottom part: as
a. : the after end of a ship's keel or the lower end of a mast
b. : the base of a tuber or cutting of a plant used for propagation
c. : the base of a ladder
6. : a contemptible person
• heel·less ˈhēl-ləs adjective
•
- by the heels
- down at heel
- on the heels of
- to heel
- under heel
II. verb
Date: 1605
transitive verb
1.
a. : to furnish with a heel
b. : to supply especially with money
2.
a. : to exert pressure on, propel, or strike with the heel
heel ed her horse
b. : to urge (as a lagging animal) by following closely or by nipping at the heels
dogs heel ing cattle
intransitive verb
: to move along at someone's heels
III. verb
Etymology: alteration of Middle English heelden, from Old English hieldan; akin to Old High German hald inclined, Lithuanian šalis side, region
Date: 1575
intransitive verb
: to lean to one side : tip ; especially of a boat or ship : to lean temporarily (as from the action of wind or waves) — compare list
transitive verb
: to cause (a boat) to heel
IV. noun
Date: 1760
: a tilt (as of a boat) to one side ; also : the extent of such a tilt