1. n. & v.
--n.
1. the lengthwise timber or steel structure along the base of a ship, airship, or some aircraft, on which the framework of the whole is built up.
2 poet. a ship.
3 a ridge along the breastbone of many birds; a carina.
4 Bot. a prow-shaped pair of petals in a corolla etc.
--v.
1. (often foll. by over) a intr. turn over or fall down. b tr. cause to do this.
2 tr. & intr. turn keel upwards.
Derivatives:
keelless adj.
Etymology: ME kele f. ON kj{ouml}lr f. Gmc 2. n. Brit. hist.
1. a flat-bottomed vessel, esp. of the kind formerly used on the River Tyne etc. for loading coal-ships.
2 an amount carried by such a vessel.
Etymology: ME kele f. MLG kel, MDu. kiel ship, boat, f. Gmc