First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1keel
verb \ˈkēl\
Definition of KEEL
chiefly dialect : cool
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Origin of KEEL
Middle English kelen, from Old English cēlan, from cōl cool
2keel
noun
Definition of KEEL
: a flat-bottomed barge used especially on the Tyne to carry coal
Origin of KEEL
Middle English kele, from Middle Dutch kiel; akin to Old English cēol ship
First Known Use: 14th century
3keel
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 a keel; especially : carina 1
— keeled \ˈkēld\ adjective
— keel·less \ˈkēl-ləs\ adjective
Origin of KEEL
Middle English kele, from Old Norse kjǫlr; akin to Old English ceole throat, beak of a ship — more at glutton
First Known Use: 14th century
4keel
verb
Definition of KEEL
intransitive verb
1
: to fall in or as if in a faint —usually used with over
2
: to heel or lean precariously
First Known Use of KEEL
1832
5keel
noun
Definition of KEEL
chiefly dialectOrigin of KEEL
Middle English (Scots) keyle
First Known Use: 15th century
KEEL[3] Defined for Kids
keel
noun \ˈkēl\
Definition of KEEL for Kids
: 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
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