keel

verb \ ˈkēl \

Definition of keel

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

See Words from the same year

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

See Words from the same year

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

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

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

keel

verb

Definition of keel

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

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

See Words from the same year

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