heel

\ ˈhēl

Definition of heel

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : 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 similar in structure to the human heel nipping at the cow's heels

2 : an anatomical structure suggestive of the human heel especially : the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands — Warren Eyster

3 : one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread

4a : 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 squashed the bug with his boot heel

5 : a rear, low, or bottom part: such 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 of the plant

c : the base of a ladder

6a : a contemptible person : a person who is self-centered or untrustworthy felt like a heel a few heels who appear to get away with it— Frank Case

b professional wrestling : a wrestler who performs the role of the unsympathetic antagonist or adversary in a staged wrestling match In the traditional morality plays of professional wrestling, grapplers divided into good guys, or "baby faces," and black-hatted "heels."— John Leland — compare baby face sense 2

by the heels

: in a tight grip had the enemy by the heels

down at heel or down at the heel

: in or into a run-down or shabby condition His slippers were down at the heel.

on the heels of

: immediately following came close on the heels of the announcement

to heel

1 : close behind called the dog to heel

2 : into agreement or line reluctantly came to heel help to bring inflation to heel

under heel

: under control or subjection They kept us under heel.

heel

verb (1)

heeled; heeling; heels

Definition of heel (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to furnish (a boot, a shoe, etc.) with a solid attachment forming the part of the sole that is under the back of the foot : to attach a heel (see heel entry 1 sense 4b) to

b : to supply especially with money or information better heeled but still not flush I want to be heeled when they book him— R. P. Warren

2a : to exert pressure on, propel, or strike (someone or something) with the back part of the foot heeled her horse

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

intransitive verb

: to move along near the back of someone's feet : to stay at someone's heels taught the dog to heel

heel

verb (2)

heeled; heeling; heels

Definition of heel (Entry 3 of 4)

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) kept heeling to the left — compare list entry 3

transitive verb

: to cause (a boat) tolean to one side heeling the sloop well over and skimming her along to windward— K. M. Dodson

heel

noun (2)

Definition of heel (Entry 4 of 4)

: a tilt (as of a boat) to one side also : the extent of such a tilt a heel of six degrees to starboard

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