Main Entry:

¹heel

Pronunciation:

\ˈhēl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

before 12th century

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 heel2: an anatomical structure suggestive of the human heel ; especially : the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist3: one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread4 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 foot5: 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 behind2: into agreement or line

— under heel

: under control or subjection