keel

The definition of a keel is the main structural part of a boat that extends the length of the bottom or a barge for freight.

(noun)

Keel is defined as to fall or collapse.

Keel is defined as to make something cool.

(verb)

See keel in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the chief timber or steel piece extending along the entire length of the bottom of a boat or ship and supporting the frame: it sometimes protrudes beneath the hull
Old Poet. a ship
anything resembling a ship's keel
the assembly of beams, girders, etc. at the bottom of a rigid or semirigid airship to prevent sagging or buckling
Biol. a ridgelike part

Origin: ME kele < ON kjǫlr < Gmc *kelu- < IE base *gel-, to swallow > L gula, throat

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to turn over on its side so as to turn up the keel or bottom

noun

a flat-bottomed ship; esp., a low, flat-bottomed coal barge or lighter, used on the Tyne
1. a barge load of coal
2. a British unit of weight for coal, equal to 21.1 long tons

Origin: ME kele < MDu kiel, boat < Gmc *keula < IE *geul-, rounded vessel > Sans gōlā, ball, round jug

transitive verb

Now Dial. to cool (a hot liquid) as by stirring

Origin: ME kelen < OE celan (akin to Ger kühlen) < base of col, cool

noun

a red stain used for marking lumber, etc.; ruddle

Origin: prob. < Ir or Gael cīl, ruddle

See keel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Nautical
a. The principal structural member of a ship, running lengthwise along the center line from bow to stern, to which the frames are attached.
b. A ship.
A structure, such as the breastbone of a bird, that resembles a ship's keel in function or shape.
The principal structural member of an aircraft, resembling a ship's keel in shape and function.
A pair of united petals in certain flowers, as those of the pea.

intr. & tr.v. keeled, keel·ing, keels
Nautical

To capsize or cause to capsize.

Phrasal Verb: keel over To collapse or fall into or as if into a faint.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English kele

Origin: , from Old Norse kjölr

noun

Nautical
a. A freight barge, especially one for carrying coal on the Tyne River in England.
b. The load capacity of this barge.
A British unit of weight formerly used for coal, equal to about 21.2 long tons.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English kele

Origin: , from Middle Dutch kiel

transitive verb keeled, keel·ing, keels
Chiefly British

To make cool.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English kelen

Origin: , from Old English cēlan, to cool; see gel- in Indo-European roots

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