Keels

keel ¹  (kl)

n.

1. 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.

2. A structure, such as the breastbone of a bird, that resembles a ship's keel in function or shape.

3. The principal structural member of an aircraft, resembling a ship's keel in shape and function.

4. 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.

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[Middle English kele, from Old Norse kjölr.]

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keel ²  (kl)

n.

1. Nautical

a. A freight barge, especially one for carrying coal on the Tyne River in England.

b. The load capacity of this barge.

2. A British unit of weight formerly used for coal, equal to about 21.2 long tons.

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[Middle English kele, from Middle Dutch kiel.]

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keel ³  (kl)

tr.v. keeled, keel·ing, keels Chiefly British

To make cool.

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[Middle English kelen, from Old English clan, to cool; see gel- in Indo-European roots.]