Keel Definition
kēl
keeled, keeling, keels
noun
keels
The chief timber or steel piece extending along the entire length of the bottom of a boat or ship and supporting the frame.
Webster's New World
A projecting fin on the bottom of a boat or ship, for stability and directional control.
Webster's New World
A ship.
Webster's New World
Anything resembling a ship's keel.
Webster's New World
A structure, such as the breastbone of a bird, that resembles a ship's keel in function or shape.
American Heritage
verb
keeled, keeling, keels
To capsize or cause to capsize.
American Heritage
To make cool.
American Heritage
To turn over on its side so as to turn up the keel or bottom.
Webster's New World
To turn up the keel; to show the bottom.
Wiktionary
idiom
keel over
- to turn over or upside down; upset; capsize
- to fall over suddenly, as in a faint
Webster's New World
on an even keel
- in or keeping an upright, level position
- steady, stable, etc.
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Keel
- keel over
- on an even keel
Origin of Keel
-
Middle English kelen from Old English cēlan to cool gel- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Middle English kele, from Old Norse kjǫlr.
From Wiktionary
Middle English kele from Middle Dutch kiel
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English kele from Old Norse kjölr
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Keel Is Also Mentioned In
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