keel

verb \ ˈkēl \

Definition of keel

keeled; keeling; keels

intransitive verb

1 : to fall in or as if in a faint —usually used with over

keeled over from exhaustion

2 of a boat or ship : to heel or lean precariously

Origin and Etymology of keel

see ²keel

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1832

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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keel

noun

Definition of keel

1 a : the chief structural member of a boat or ship that extends longitudinally along the center of its bottom and that often projects from the bottom; also : this projection

b : ship

2 : a projection suggesting the keel of a boat or ship; especially : an anatomical process forming a ridge : carina

—

keeled

play \ˈkēld\ adjective

—

keelless

play \ˈkēl-ləs\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of keel

Middle English kele, from Old Norse kjǫlr; akin to Old English ceole throat, beak of a ship — more at glutton

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

keel

noun

Definition of keel

: a flat-bottomed barge used especially on the Tyne to carry coal

Origin and Etymology of keel

Middle English kele, from Middle Dutch kiel; akin to Old English cēol ship

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, lee, port, starboard, stay

keel

verb

Definition of keel

keeled; keeling; keels

chiefly dialectal

: cool

Origin and Etymology of keel

Middle English kelen, from Old English cēlan, from cōl cool

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

keel

noun

Definition of keel

chiefly dialectal

: red ocher

Origin and Etymology of keel

Middle English (Scots) keyle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

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KEEL Defined for Kids

keel

noun \ ˈkēl \

Definition of keel for Students

: a long heavy piece of wood or metal that runs along and usually sticks out from the center of the bottom of a ship

Medical Dictionary

keel

noun \ ˈkēl \

medical Definition of keel

: acute septicemic salmonellosis or paratyphoid of ducklings marked by sudden collapse and death of apparently healthy birds — called also keel disease