Heel Definition

hēl
heeled, heels
noun
heels
The back part of the human foot, under the ankle and behind the instep.
Webster's New World
The corresponding part of the hind foot of an animal.
Webster's New World
A similar anatomical part, such as the fleshy rounded base of the human palm or the hind toe of a bird.
American Heritage Medicine
The part of a stocking, shoe, etc. that covers the heel.
Webster's New World
The built-up part of a shoe or boot supporting the heel.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
verb
heeled, heels
To furnish with a heel.
Webster's New World
To follow closely at the rear of.
Webster's New World
To move the heels rhythmically in dancing.
Webster's New World
To lean or tilt to one side, as a ship or boat in a high wind.
Webster's New World
To follow along at the heels of someone.
Webster's New World
interjection
Used in commanding a dog to follow at one's heels.
Webster's New World
idiom
down at the heel
  • With the heel worn down. Used of shoes.
  • Shabby or poor in appearance.
American Heritage
lay by the heels
  • To put in fetters or shackles; imprison.
American Heritage
on
  • Directly behind.
  • Immediately following.
American Heritage
out at the heel
  • Having holes in one's socks or shoes.
  • Rundown; shabby; seedy.
American Heritage
take to (one's) heels
  • To run away; flee.
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Heel

Noun

Singular:
heel
Plural:
heels

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Heel

Origin of Heel

  • From Middle English hele, heel, from Old English hēla, from Proto-Germanic *hanhilaz (cf. North Frisian hael, Dutch hiel, Danish hæl, Swedish häl), diminutive of Proto-Germanic *hanhaz (“hock”). More at hock.

    From Wiktionary

  • Alteration of earlier heeld, from Middle English heelden, from Old English hyldan, hieldan (“to incline”), cognate with Old Norse hella (“to pour out”) (> Danish hælde (“lean, pour”)). More at hield.

    From Wiktionary

  • Alteration of Middle English helden from Old English hieldan

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English from Old English hēla

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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