Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

heel 1       (hēl)  Pronunciation Key  n.   The rounded posterior portion of the human foot under and behind the ankle. The corresponding part of the hind foot of other vertebrates. A similar anatomical part, such as the fleshy rounded base of the human palm or the hind toe of a bird. The part, as of a sock, shoe, or stocking, that covers the rounded posterior portion of the human foot. The built-up portion of a shoe or boot, supporting the heel. The part of the head of a golf club where it joins the shaft. The end of a violin bow where the handle is located. The lower end of a mast. The after end of a ship's keel. The part, as of a sock, shoe, or stocking, that covers the rounded posterior portion of the human foot. The built-up portion of a shoe or boot, supporting the heel. The part of the head of a golf club where it joins the shaft. The end of a violin bow where the handle is located. The lower end of a mast. The after end of a ship's keel. One of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread. The lower or rearward part, as: The part of the head of a golf club where it joins the shaft. The end of a violin bow where the handle is located. The lower end of a mast. The after end of a ship's keel. Nautical The lower end of a mast. The after end of a ship's keel. Botany The basal end of a plant cutting or tuber used in propagation. Oppression; tyranny: under the heel of Stalinism; the heel of an autocrat. Informal A dishonorable man; a cad. v.   heeled, heel·ing, heels v.   tr. To furnish with a heel or heels. To repair or replace the heels, as for shoes. Slang To furnish, especially with money. To arm (a gamecock) with gaffs. To press or strike with the heel: heel a horse. v.   intr. To follow at one's heels: The dog won't heel. [Middle English, from Old English hēla.]

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

heel 2       (hēl)  Pronunciation Key  intr. & tr.v.   heeled, heel·ing, heels To tilt or cause to tilt to one side. n.   A tilt, as of a boat, to one side. [Alteration of Middle English helden, from Old English hieldan.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
heel  (n.)

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
heel  (v.)

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
heel  (n.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

heel
noun
1.	the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
2.	the back part of the human foot
3.	someone who is morally reprehensible; "you dirty dog" [syn: cad]
4.	one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread
5.	the lower end of a ship's mast
6.	(golf) the part of the clubhead where it joins the shaft
verb
1.	tilt to one side; "The balloon heeled over"; "the wind made the vessel heel"; "The ship listed to starboard" [syn: list]
2.	follow at the heels of a person
3.	perform with the heels; "heel that dance"
4.	strike with the heel of the club; "heel a golf ball"
5.	put a new heel on; "heel shoes"

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

heel

see Achilles' heel; at someone's heels; bring to heel; cool one's heels; dig in (one's heels); drag one's feet (heels); head over heels; kick up one's heels; on the heels of; out at the elbows (heels); set back on one's heels; show one's heels; take to one's heels; to heel; turn on one's heel.

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

heel (hēl)
n.

1. The rounded posterior portion of the foot under and behind the ankle.
2. A similar anatomical part, such as the rounded base of the palm.

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Tar Heel, NC (town, FIPS 66740) Location: 34.73152 N, 78.79244 W
Population (1990): 115 (46 housing units)
Area: 0.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 28392

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Heel

Heel\ (h[=e]l), v. i. [OE. helden to lean, incline, AS. heldan, hyldan; akin to Icel. halla, Dan. helde, Sw. h["a]lla to tilt, pour, and perh. to E. hill.] (Naut.) To lean or tip to one side, as a ship; as, the ship heels aport; the boat heeled over when the squall struck it.

Heeling error (Naut.), a deviation of the compass caused by the heeling of an iron vessel to one side or the other.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Heel

Heel\, n. [OE. hele, heele, AS. h[=e]la, perh. for h[=o]hila, fr. AS. h[=o]h heel (cf. Hough); but cf. D. hiel, OFries. heila, h[=e]la, Icel. h[ae]ll, Dan. h[ae]l, Sw. h["a]l, and L. calx. [root]12. Cf. Inculcate.]

1. The hinder part of the foot; sometimes, the whole foot; -- in man or quadrupeds.

He [the stag] calls to mind his strength and then his speed, His winged heels and then his armed head. --Denham.

2. The hinder part of any covering for the foot, as of a shoe, sock, etc.; specif., a solid part projecting downward from the hinder part of the sole of a boot or shoe.

3. The latter or remaining part of anything; the closing or concluding part. "The heel of a hunt." --A. Trollope. "The heel of the white loaf." --Sir W. Scott.

4. Anything regarded as like a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob.

5. The part of a thing corresponding in position to the human heel; the lower part, or part on which a thing rests; especially: (a) (Naut.) The after end of a ship's keel. (b) (Naut.) The lower end of a mast, a boom, the bowsprit, the sternpost, etc. (c) (Mil.) In a small arm, the corner of the but which is upwards in the firing position. (d) (Mil.) The uppermost part of the blade of a sword, next to the hilt. (e) The part of any tool next the tang or handle; as, the heel of a scythe.

6. (Man.) Management by the heel, especially the spurred heel; as, the horse understands the heel well.

7. (Arch.) (a) The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter. In the United States, specif., the obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping. (b) A cyma reversa; -- so called by workmen. --Gwilt.

Heel chain (Naut.), a chain passing from the bowsprit cap around the heel of the jib boom.

Heel plate, the butt plate of a gun.

Heel of a rafter. (Arch.) See Heel, n., 7.

Heel ring, a ring for fastening a scythe blade to the snath.

Neck and heels, the whole body. (Colloq.)

To be at the heels of, to pursue closely; to follow hard; as, hungry want is at my heels. --Otway.

To be down at the heel, to be slovenly or in a poor plight.

To be out at the heels, to have on stockings that are worn out; hence, to be shabby, or in a poor plight. --Shak.

To cool the heels. See under Cool.

To go heels over head, to turn over so as to bring the heels uppermost; hence, to move in a inconsiderate, or rash, manner.

To have the heels of, to outrun.

To lay by the heels, to fetter; to shackle; to imprison. --Shak. --Addison.

To show the heels, to flee; to run from.

To take to the heels, to flee; to betake to flight.

To throw up another's heels, to trip him. --Bunyan.

To tread upon one's heels, to follow closely. --Shak.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Heel

Heel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Heeled; p. pr. & vb. n. Heeling.]

1. To perform by the use of the heels, as in dancing, running, and the like. [R.]

I cannot sing, Nor heel the high lavolt. --Shak.

2. To add a heel to; as, to heel a shoe.

3. To arm with a gaff, as a cock for fighting.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Heel

Heel\, n. 1. (Golf) The part of the face of the club head nearest the shaft.

2. In a carding machine, the part of a flat nearest the cylinder.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Heel

Heel\, v. t. 1. (Golf) To hit (the ball) with the heel of the club.

2. (Football) To make (a fair catch) standing with one foot advanced, the heel on the ground and the toe up.