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on an even keel

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keel

1  [keel]
Use on an even keel in a Sentence
–noun
1. Nautical. a central fore-and-aft structural member in the bottom of a hull, extending from the stem to the sternpost and having the floors or frames attached to it, usually at right angles: sometimes projecting from the bottom of the hull to provide stability.
2. Literary. a ship or boat.
3. a part corresponding to a ship's keel in some other structure, as in a dirigible balloon.
4. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Carina.
5. Botany, Zoology. a longitudinal ridge, as on a leaf or bone; a carina.
6. Also called brace molding. Architecture. a projecting molding the profile of which consists of two ogees symmetrically disposed about an arris or fillet.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
7. to turn or upset so as to bring the wrong side or part uppermost.
—Verb phrase
8. keel over,
a. to capsize or overturn.
b. to fall as in a faint: Several cadets keeled over from the heat during the parade.
—Idiom
9. on an even keel, in a state of balance; steady; steadily: The affairs of state are seldom on an even keel for long.
Origin:
1325–75; 1895–1900 for def. 8; ME kele < ON kjǫlr; c. OE cēol keel, ship; see keel 2

Related forms:
keeled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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e·ven 1   (ē'vən)   
adj.  

    1. Having a horizontal surface; flat: an even floor.

    2. Having no irregularities, roughness, or indentations; smooth. See Synonyms at level.

    3. Being in the same plane or line; parallel: The picture is even with the window.

    4. Having no variations or fluctuations; uniform: the even rhythm of his breathing.

    5. Of uniform distribution: an even application of varnish.

    6. Placid; calm: an even temperament.

    7. Equal or identical in degree, extent, or amount: Use even amounts of butter and sugar.

    8. Equally matched or balanced: an even fight.

    9. Just; fair: an even bargain.

    10. Having nothing due on either side; square: If we each take half, then we'll be even.

    11. Having exacted full revenge.

    12. Having an equal score: The teams are even at halftime.

    13. Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score.

    14. Exactly divisible by 2.

    15. Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2.

    16. Having an even number in a sequence.

    17. Having an even number of members.

    1. Having no variations or fluctuations; uniform: the even rhythm of his breathing.

    2. Of uniform distribution: an even application of varnish.

    3. Placid; calm: an even temperament.

    4. Equal or identical in degree, extent, or amount: Use even amounts of butter and sugar.

    5. Equally matched or balanced: an even fight.

    6. Just; fair: an even bargain.

    7. Having nothing due on either side; square: If we each take half, then we'll be even.

    8. Having exacted full revenge.

    9. Having an equal score: The teams are even at halftime.

    10. Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score.

    11. Exactly divisible by 2.

    12. Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2.

    13. Having an even number in a sequence.

    14. Having an even number of members.

    1. Equal or identical in degree, extent, or amount: Use even amounts of butter and sugar.

    2. Equally matched or balanced: an even fight.

    3. Just; fair: an even bargain.

    4. Having nothing due on either side; square: If we each take half, then we'll be even.

    5. Having exacted full revenge.

    6. Having an equal score: The teams are even at halftime.

    7. Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score.

    8. Exactly divisible by 2.

    9. Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2.

    10. Having an even number in a sequence.

    11. Having an even number of members.

  4. Having equal probability; as likely as not: an even chance of winning.

  5. Sports

    1. Having an equal score: The teams are even at halftime.

    2. Being equal for each opponent. Used of a score.

    3. Exactly divisible by 2.

    4. Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2.

    5. Having an even number in a sequence.

    6. Having an even number of members.

  6. Mathematics

    1. Exactly divisible by 2.

    2. Characterized or indicated by a number exactly divisible by 2.

    3. Having an even number in a sequence.

    4. Having an even number of members.

    1. Having an even number in a sequence.

    2. Having an even number of members.

  8. Having an exact amount, extent, or number; precise: an even pound; an even foot.

adv.  

    1. To a greater degree or extent. Used as an intensive with comparative adjectives and adverbs: Looked sick and felt even worse.

    2. Indeed; moreover. Used as an intensive: He was depressed, even suicidal. Even a child knows better.

    3. Used as an intensive to indicate something that is unexpected: declined even to consider the idea.

  2. At the same time as; already; just: Even as we watched, the building collapsed.

  3. To a degree that extends; fully: loyal even unto death.

  4. Exactly; precisely: It was even as he said: the jewel was gone.

tr. & intr.v.   e·vened, e·ven·ing, e·vens
To make or become even.

[Middle English, from Old English efen.]
e'ven·er n., e'ven·ly adv., e'ven·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

keel 
"lowest timber of a ship or boat," 1338, from O.N. kjölr "keel," from P.Gmc. *keluz, of uncertain origin. Etymologists say this is unconnected with the root of M.Du. kiel "ship," O.E. ceol "ship's prow," O.H.G. kiel, Ger. Kiel "ship," but the two words have influenced each other. This other word is said to be from P.Gmc. *keula, from PIE *geul- "rounded vessel." Keel still is used locally in England and U.S. for "flat-bottomed boat," especially on the Tyne. To keel over (1876) is from the nautical image of a ship turning keep-up. Keelhaul is 17c. from Du. kielhalen "to haul under the keel," an old punishment. The verb is 1838, Amer.Eng., from the noun.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: keel
Pronunciation: 'kEl
Function: noun
: acute septicemic salmonellosis or paratyphoid of ducklings marked by sudden collapse and death ofapparently healthy birds called also keel disease
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

on an even keel

Stable, balanced, as in She had the knack of keeping us on an even keel in any emergency. This term, used figuratively since the mid-1800s, alludes to keeping a vessel's keel in a level position, assuring smooth sailing.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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