kevel

noun kev·el \ ˈkevəl \

variants: or cavel \ˈkav-\

Definition of kevel

plural -s

: a strong timber, bollard, or cleat (as a cross timber in a bollard or a timber bolted across two stanchions)

There's more!

Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
Advanced search features
Ad free!

Origin and Etymology of kevel

Middle English kevile pin, hasp, peg, from Old North French keville, from Latin clavicula small key

kevel

noun kev·el \ ˈkevəl \

Definition of kevel

plural -s

: cudgel, staff

Origin and Etymology of kevel

of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse kefli stick of wood, kafli cut-off piece, Norwegian kavle, kjevle piece of wood, roller; akin to Old Frisian kavelia to cast lots, Middle Dutch kavele piece of wood for casting lots, Lithuanian žabas branch, bunch of twigs