heel

¹heel

noun \ˈhēl\

Definition of HEEL

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

: in a tight grip

— down at heel or down at the heel

: in or into a run-down or shabby condition

— on the heels of

: immediately following

— to heel

1

: close behind

2

: into agreement or line

— under heel

: under control or subjection

Origin of HEEL

Middle English, from Old English hēla; akin to Old Norse hæll heel, Old English hōh — more at hock

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with HEEL

ceil, chiel, creel, deal, deil, eel, feel, heal, keel, Kiel, kneel, leal, meal, peal, peel, real, reel, seal, seel, shiel, speel, spiel, squeal, steal, steel, Steele, streel, teal, tuille, veal, weal, wheal, wheel, zeal

²heel

verb

Definition of HEEL

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 <heeled her horse>

b : to urge (as a lagging animal) by following closely or by nipping at the heels <dogs heeling cattle>

intransitive verb

: to move along at someone's heels

First Known Use of HEEL

1605

³heel

verb

Definition of HEEL

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

Origin of HEEL

alteration of Middle English heelden, from Old English hieldan; akin to Old High German hald inclined, Lithuanian šalis side, region

First Known Use: 1575

⁴heel

noun

Definition of HEEL

: a tilt (as of a boat) to one side; also : the extent of such a tilt

First Known Use of HEEL

1760

heel

noun \ˈhē(ə)l\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of HEEL

1

a : the back of the human foot below the ankle and behind the arch b : the back of the hind limb of other vertebrates homologous with the human heel

2

: an anatomical structure suggestive of the human heel: as a : the hind part of a hoof b : either of the projections of a coffin bone c : the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist