Heel /(hēl)/

Heel

v. i.
  1. To lean or tip to one side, as a ship; as, the ship heels aport; the boat heeled over when the squall struck it. (Naut.)

Phrases & Compounds
Heeling error
a deviation of the compass caused by the heeling of an iron vessel to one side or the other.

Heel

n.
  1. The hinder part of the foot; sometimes, the whole foot; -- in man or quadrupeds.
    He [the stag] calls to mind his strength and then his speed, His winged heels and then his armed head.
  2. The hinder part of any covering for the foot, as of a shoe, sock, etc.; specif., a solid part projecting downward from the hinder part of the sole of a boot or shoe.
  3. The latter or remaining part of anything; the closing or concluding part.
  4. Anything regarded as like a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob.
  5. The part of a thing corresponding in position to the human heel; the lower part, or part on which a thing rests (Naut.)
  6. Management by the heel, especially the spurred heel; as, the horse understands the heel well. (Man.)
  7. The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter. In the United States, specif., the obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping. (Arch.)
  8. The part of the face of the club head nearest the shaft. (Golf)
  9. In a carding machine, the part of a flat nearest the cylinder.

Phrases & Compounds
Heel chain
a chain passing from the bowsprit cap around the heel of the jib boom.
Heel plate
the butt plate of a gun.
Heel of a rafter
See Heel, n., 7.
Heel ring
a ring for fastening a scythe blade to the snath.
Neck and heels
the whole body.
To be at the heels of
to pursue closely; to follow hard; as, hungry want is at my heels.
To be down at the heel
to be slovenly or in a poor plight.
To be out at the heels
to have on stockings that are worn out; hence, to be shabby, or in a poor plight.
To cool the heels
See under Cool.
To go heels over head
to turn over so as to bring the heels uppermost; hence, to move in a inconsiderate, or rash, manner.
To have the heels of
to outrun.
To lay by the heels
to fetter; to shackle; to imprison.
To show the heels
to flee; to run from.
To take to the heels
to flee; to betake to flight.
To throw up another's heels
to trip him.
To tread upon one's heels
to follow closely.

Heel

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Heeled; p. pr. & vb. n. Heeling

  1. To perform by the use of the heels, as in dancing, running, and the like. [R.]
    I cannot sing, Nor heel the high lavolt.
  2. To add a heel to; as, to heel a shoe.
  3. To arm with a gaff, as a cock for fighting.
  4. To hit (the ball) with the heel of the club. (Golf)
  5. To make (a fair catch) standing with one foot advanced, the heel on the ground and the toe up. (Football)