heel1
n.
- the back part of the foot below the ankle.
▸the part of the palm of the hand next to the wrist.
- the part of a shoe or boot supporting the heel.
- informal, dated an inconsiderate or untrustworthy person.
- the end of a violin bow at which it is held.
- the part of the head of a golf club nearest the shaft.
- a crusty end of a loaf of bread.
- a piece of the main stem of a plant left attached to the base of a cutting.
exclam.
a command to a dog to walk close behind its owner.
v.
- fit or renew a heel on (a shoe or boot).
- Rugby push or kick (the ball) out of the back of the scrum with one's heel.
- Golf strike (the ball) with the heel of the club.
- touch the ground with the heel when dancing.
Phrase
- at
(or on)
the heels of
following closely after. - bring someone to heel
bring someone under control. - cool
(or Brit. kick)
one's heels
be kept waiting. - kick up one's heels
N. Amer. have a lively, enjoyable time. - take to one's heels
run away. - turn
(on one's)
heel
turn sharply.
Derivative
- -heeled adj.
- heelless adj.
Etymology
OE hēla, hæla, of Gmc origin; rel. to hough.
heel2
v.
(of a ship) lean over owing to the pressure of wind or an uneven load.
n.
an instance of heeling, or the amount that a ship heels.
Etymology
C16: from obs. heeld, hield ‘incline’, of Gmc origin.
heel3
v.
(
heel something in)
set a plant in the ground and cover its roots.
Etymology
OE helian ‘cover, hide’, of Gmc origin.