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