heel
back part of the foot or footwear: The shoe fits perfectly everywhere except at the heel.
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
heel 1
(hēl)n.
1.
a. The rounded posterior portion of the human foot under and behind the ankle.
b. The corresponding part of the hind foot of other vertebrates.
c. A similar anatomical part, such as the fleshy rounded base of the human palm or the hind toe of a bird.
2.
a. The part, as of a sock, shoe, or stocking, that covers the heel.
b. The built-up portion of a shoe or boot, supporting the heel.
3. One of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread.
4. The lower or rearward part, as:
a. The part of the head of a golf club where it joins the shaft.
b. The end of a violin bow where the handle is located.
5. Nautical
a. The lower end of a mast.
b. The after end of a ship's keel.
6. Botany The basal end of a plant cutting or tuber used in propagation.
7. Oppression; tyranny: under the heel of Stalinism; the heel of an autocrat.
8. Informal A dishonorable or unscrupulous person.
v. heeled, heel·ing, heels
v.tr.
1.
a. To furnish with a heel or heels.
b. To repair or replace the heels, as for shoes.
2. Slang To furnish, especially with money.
3. To arm (a gamecock) with gaffs.
4. To press or strike with the heel: heel a horse.
v.intr.
Idioms: To follow at one's heels: The dog won't heel.
down at the heel/heels
1. With the heel worn down. Used of shoes.
2. Shabby or poor in appearance.
lay by the heels
To put in fetters or shackles; imprison.
on/upon the heels of
1. Directly behind.
2. Immediately following.
out at the heel/heels
1. Having holes in one's socks or shoes.
2. Rundown; shabby; seedy.
take to (one's) heels
To run away; flee.
to heel
1. Close behind: The hound followed his master to heel.
2. Under discipline or control: The army swiftly brought the rebels to heel.
[Middle English, from Old English hēla.]
heel 2
(hēl)intr. & tr.v. heeled, heel·ing, heels
To tilt or cause to tilt to one side.
n.
A tilt, as of a boat, to one side.
[Alteration of Middle English helden, from Old English hieldan.]
heel 3
(hēl)tr.v. heeled, heel·ing, heels
To cover the roots of (a plant) with soil temporarily, as while preparing for a more permanent planting. Often with in: heeled in the apple saplings until the orchard had been laid out.
[Middle English helen, partly from Old English helian, to cover, heel in, and partly from Old English helan, to hide, conceal; see kel- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
heel
(hiːl)n
1. (Anatomy) the back part of the human foot from the instep to the lower part of the ankle. Compare calcaneus
2. (Zoology) the corresponding part in other vertebrates
3. (Clothing & Fashion) the part of a shoe, stocking, etc, designed to fit the heel
4. (Clothing & Fashion) the outer part of a shoe underneath the heel
5. (Clothing & Fashion) the part of the palm of a glove nearest the wrist
6. the lower, end, or back section of something: the heel of a loaf.
7. (Horticulture) horticulture the small part of the parent plant that remains attached to a young shoot cut for propagation and that ensures more successful rooting
8. (Nautical Terms) nautical
a. the bottom of a mast
b. the after end of a ship's keel
9. (Golf) the back part of a golf club head where it bends to join the shaft
10. (Rugby) rugby possession of the ball as obtained from a scrum (esp in the phrase get the heel)
11. slang a contemptible person
12. at one's heels on one's heels just behind or following closely
13. dig one's heels in See dig in5
14. down at heel
a. shabby or worn
b. slovenly or careless
15. kick one's heels cool one's heels to wait or be kept waiting
16. rock back on one's heels to astonish or be astonished
17. show a clean pair of heels to run off
18. take to one's heels to run off
19. to heel disciplined or under control, as a dog walking by a person's heel
vb
20. (Clothing & Fashion) (tr) to repair or replace the heel of (shoes, boots, etc)
21. (Dancing) to perform (a dance) with the heels
22. (Golf) (tr) golf to strike (the ball) with the heel of the club
23. (Rugby) rugby to kick (the ball) backwards using the sole and heel of the boot
24. to follow at the heels of (a person)
25. (Individual Sports, other than specified) (tr) to arm (a gamecock) with spurs
26. (Agriculture) (tr) NZ (of a cattle dog) to drive (cattle) by biting their heels
[Old English hēla; related to Old Norse hǣll, Old Frisian hêl]
ˈheelless adj
heel
(hiːl)vb
(Nautical Terms) (of a vessel) to lean over; list
n
(Nautical Terms) inclined position from the vertical: the boat is at ten degrees of heel.
[Old English hieldan; related to Old Norse hallr inclined, Old High German helden to bow]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
heel1
(hil)n.
1. the back part of the foot in humans, below and behind the ankle.
2. the corresponding part in other vertebrates.
3. the part of a stocking, shoe, etc., covering the back part of the wearer's foot.
4. a solid raised base attached to the sole of a shoe or boot under the back part of the foot.
5. heels, high-heeled shoes.
6. something resembling the back part of the human foot, as in position or shape: a heel of bread.
7. the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist.
8. control; subjugation: under the heel of the dictator.
9. the latter or concluding part of something.
10. the lower end of any of various objects, as rafters, spars, or the sternposts of vessels.
11. the after end of the keel of a ship.
12. the crook in the head of a golf club.
13. the base of a cutting, tuber, or other part that is removed from a plant for use in propagation.
v.t. 14. to furnish with heels, as shoes.
15. to follow at the heels of; chase closely.
16. to strike, prod, or propel with the heel.
v.i. 17. (of a dog) to follow at one's heels on command.
18. to use the heels, as in dancing.
Idioms: 1. at one's heels, close behind one.
2. cool one's heels, to be kept waiting, esp. because of deliberate discourtesy.
3. down at (the) heel(s), dressed in shabby clothing; looking slovenly.
4. kick up one's heels, to have an unusually lively, entertaining time.
5. on or upon the heels of, closely following.
6. take to one's heels, to run away; take flight.
7. to heel,
a. close behind.
b. under control or subjugation.
[before 850; Middle English; Old English hēl(a), c. Middle Dutch hiele, Old Norse hǣll; akin to hock1]
heel2
(hil)v. heeled, heel•ing,
n. v.i.
1. (esp. of a ship or boat) to incline to one side; cant; tilt.
v.t. 2. to cause to lean or cant.
n. 3. a heeling movement; cant.
[1565–75; variant of earlier heeld, Middle English helden, Old English hieldan to lean, slope; akin to Old English heald, Old Norse hallr sloping]
heel3
(hil)n.
a contemptibly dishonorable or irresponsible person.
[1910–15, Amer.; perhaps from heel1]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
heel
- The crusty ends of a loaf of bread are its heels.See also related terms for heels.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
heel
Past participle: heeled
Gerund: heeling
| Imperative |
|---|
| heel |
| heel |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  heel - the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevationboot - footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg Cuban heel - a broad heel of medium height on women's shoes French heel - a fairly high narrow heel on women's shoes lift - one of the layers forming the heel of a shoe or boot shoe - footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material stacked heel - a heel made of many layers of leather wedge heel, wedge - a heel that is an extension of the sole of the shoe wineglass heel - a heel on a woman's shoe in the shape of a wineglass |
| 2. | heel - the back part of the human foot foot, human foot, pes - the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint; "his bare feet projected from his trousers"; "armored from head to foot" Achilles tendon, tendon of Achilles - a large tendon that runs from the heel to the calf skeletal structure - any structure created by the skeleton of an organism | |
| 3. |  heel - someone who is morally reprehensible; "you dirty dog"perisher - bounder | |
| 4. | heel - one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread loaf, loaf of bread - a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating | |
| 5. | heel - the lower end of a ship's mast | |
| 6. | heel - (golf) the part of the clubhead where it joins the shaft | |
| Verb | 1. | heel - tilt to one side; "The balloon heeled over"; "the wind made the vessel heel"; "The ship listed to starboard" |
| 2. | heel - follow at the heels of a person travel along, follow - travel along a certain course; "follow the road"; "follow the trail" | |
| 3. | heel - perform with the heels; "heel that dance" dancing, terpsichore, dance, saltation - taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music dance - an artistic form of nonverbal communication trip the light fantastic, trip the light fantastic toe, dance - move in a pattern; usually to musical accompaniment; do or perform a dance; "My husband and I like to dance at home to the radio" | |
| 4. | heel - strike with the heel of the club; "heel a golf ball" golf, golf game - a game played on a large open course with 9 or 18 holes; the object is use as few strokes as possible in playing all the holes hit - cause to move by striking; "hit a ball" | |
| 5. | heel - put a new heel on; "heel shoes" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
heel
1noun
2. (Slang) swine, cad (Brit. informal), scoundrel, scally (Northwest English dialect), bounder (old-fashioned Brit. slang), rotter (slang, chiefly Brit.), scumbag (slang), blackguard, cocksucker (taboo slang) Suddenly I feel like a total heel.
bring something or someone to heel subjugate, master, suppress, put down, tame, subdue, quell, hold sway over, bring (someone) to their knees, bring under the yoke The president will use his power to bring the republics to heel.
hard on the heels of something or someone straight after, immediately after, right behind, following on from Bad news has come hard on the heels of good.
take to your heels flee, escape, run away or off, take flight, hook it (slang), turn tail, show a clean pair of heels, skedaddle (informal), vamoose (slang, chiefly U.S.) He stood, for a moment, then took to his heels.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
heel 1
verbheel 2
verbnoun
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
عِقْب، كَعْبكَعْبكَعْب الحِذاءكَعْب الكَلْسَهيضَع كَعْبا للحِذاء
patapodpatekdát nový podpateknaklánět se
hælhældekrængeforsåle
kantapääkorkokanta
एड़ी
petapotpetica
megsarkal
hællhallast á hliîhæla, setja hæl undir
かかと
뒤꿈치
calx
gaišinti laikągreitai apsisuktiįkandin kokankintis belaukiantkulnas
papēdispiesist papēdisasvērties uz sāniem
dať nový podpätokpodpätok
peta
häl
kisigino
ส้นเท้า
ایڑی
gót chân
heel
1 [hiːl]A. N
1. (Anat) → talón m
to turn on one's heel → dar media vuelta
to keep to heel [+ dog] → seguir de cerca al dueño
to be at or on sb's heels → pisar los talones a algn
to bring sb to heel → sobreponerse a algn, meter a algn en cintura
to cool one's heels → estar plantado or de plantón
I decided to leave him to cool his heels → decidí hacerle esperar un rato, decidí dejarlo plantado or de plantón un rato
to dig in one's heels → empecinarse
to drag one's heels → arrastrar los pies
to follow hard on sb's heels → seguir a algn muy de cerca
to follow hard on the heels of sth → venir a renglón seguido de algo
to be hot on sb's heels → pisar los talones a algn
to kick one's heels → estar plantado or de plantón
to show sb a clean pair of heels → hacer tragar polvo a algn
to take to one's heels → echar a correr, poner pies en polvorosa
to be under the heel of → estar bajo los talones de
to turn on one's heel → dar media vuelta
to keep to heel [+ dog] → seguir de cerca al dueño
to be at or on sb's heels → pisar los talones a algn
to bring sb to heel → sobreponerse a algn, meter a algn en cintura
to cool one's heels → estar plantado or de plantón
I decided to leave him to cool his heels → decidí hacerle esperar un rato, decidí dejarlo plantado or de plantón un rato
to dig in one's heels → empecinarse
to drag one's heels → arrastrar los pies
to follow hard on sb's heels → seguir a algn muy de cerca
to follow hard on the heels of sth → venir a renglón seguido de algo
to be hot on sb's heels → pisar los talones a algn
to kick one's heels → estar plantado or de plantón
to show sb a clean pair of heels → hacer tragar polvo a algn
to take to one's heels → echar a correr, poner pies en polvorosa
to be under the heel of → estar bajo los talones de
2. [of sock] → talón m; [of shoe] → tacón m
to be down at heel → ir desharrapado
see also down-at-heel
to be down at heel → ir desharrapado
see also down-at-heel
3. (o.f.) (= person) → sinvergüenza mf, canalla mf
D. CPD heel bar N → rápido m, tienda f de reparación de calzado en el acto
heel
2 [hiːl] VI (also to heel over) (Naut) → zozobrar, escorarCollins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
heel
[ˈhiːl] n
[person] → talon m
to be at sb's heels [animal, person] → être sur les talons de qn
to be hot on sb's heels → marcher sur les talons de qn
to follow hard on the heels of sth [event] → arriver juste après qch
to bring to heel [+ dog] → faire venir à ses pieds; [+ person, group] → rappeler à l'ordre
to turn on one's heel (= turn round) → tourner les talons
to take to one's heels (= run away) → prendre ses jambes à son cou
to dig one's heels in (= be stubborn) → se braquer
to cool one's heels (= languish) → poireauter
to kick one's heels (British) (= wait around) → faire le pied de grue
to be at sb's heels [animal, person] → être sur les talons de qn
to be hot on sb's heels → marcher sur les talons de qn
to follow hard on the heels of sth [event] → arriver juste après qch
to bring to heel [+ dog] → faire venir à ses pieds; [+ person, group] → rappeler à l'ordre
to turn on one's heel (= turn round) → tourner les talons
to take to one's heels (= run away) → prendre ses jambes à son cou
to dig one's heels in (= be stubborn) → se braquer
to cool one's heels (= languish) → poireauter
to kick one's heels (British) (= wait around) → faire le pied de grue
[shoe] → talon m
shoes with high heels → des chaussures à talons hauts
to click one's heels → claquer des talons
shoes with high heels → des chaussures à talons hauts
to click one's heels → claquer des talons
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
heel
1n
→ Ferse f; (of shoe) → Absatz m; the heel of the hand → der Handballen; I like to wear heels → ich trage gerne Schuhe mit hohen Absätzen; with his dog/the children at his heels → gefolgt von seinem Hund/den Kindern; to be right on somebody’s heels → jdm auf den Fersen folgen; (fig: = chase) → jdm auf den Fersen sein; to follow hard upon somebody’s heels → jdm dicht auf den Fersen sein, sich an jds Fersen (acc) → heften (geh); panic buying came hard on the heels of the government’s announcement → Hamsterkäufe folgten der Erklärung der Regierung auf dem Fuße; the police were hot on our heels → die Polizei war uns dicht auf den Fersen; to be snapping at somebody’s heels (fig inf) → jdm dicht auf den Fersen sein; to be down at heel (person) → abgerissen or heruntergekommen sein; (building) → heruntergekommen sein; to take to one’s heels → sich aus dem Staub(e) machen, Fersengeld geben (dated, hum); to show somebody a clean pair of heels (= escape) → vor jdm davonlaufen, jdm die Fersen zeigen (geh); (= leave behind) → jdm weit voraus sein, jdn weit hinter sich lassen; heel! (to dog) → (bei) Fuß!; he brought the dog to heel → er befahl dem Hund, bei Fuß zu gehen; to bring somebody to heel → jdn an die Kandare nehmen (inf); to turn or spin on one’s heel → auf dem Absatz kehrtmachen; to cool or kick one’s heels (inf: = wait) → warten; (= do nothing) → Däumchen drehen; to set or rock somebody back on his/her etc heels (fig inf) → jdm einen Schock versetzen
(dated pej sl, = person) → Saukerl m (sl)
vt
to heel shoes → auf Schuhe neue Absätze machen; these shoes need heeling → diese Schuhe brauchen neue Absätze
(Rugby) ball → hakeln
heel
2 (Naut)vi (ship: also heel over) → krängen (spec), → sich (auf die Seite) legen or neigen; to heel hard over → sich stark auf die Seite legen, stark krängen (spec)
n → (seitliches) Überlegen, Seitenneigung f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
heel
1 [hiːl]1. n
a. (of foot, sock) → tallone m, calcagno; (of shoe) → tacco
heel, boy! (to dog) → qui!
to bring sb to heel (fig) → riportare qn all'ordine
to be at sb's heels → stare alle calcagna di qn
to take to one's heels (liter) → darsela a gambe
to turn on one's heel → girare i tacchi
heel, boy! (to dog) → qui!
to bring sb to heel (fig) → riportare qn all'ordine
to be at sb's heels → stare alle calcagna di qn
to take to one's heels (liter) → darsela a gambe
to turn on one's heel → girare i tacchi
b. (fam) (person) → carogna
2. vt (shoe) → fare or rifare i tacchi a; (ball) → colpire di tacco
heel
2 [hiːl] vi (also heel over) (ship, truck) → inclinarsi (pericolosamente)Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
heel
(hiːl) noun1. the back part of the foot. I have a blister on my heel.
2. the part of a sock etc that covers this part of the foot. I have a hole in the heel of my sock.
3. the part of a shoe, boot etc under or round the heel of the foot. The heel has come off this shoe.
verb1. to put a heel on (a shoe etc).
2. (usually with over) (of ships) to lean to one side. The boat heeled over in the strong wind.
-heeledhigh-heeled shoes.
at/on one's heels close behind one. The thief ran off with the policeman close on his heels.
kick one's heels to be kept waiting. I was left kicking my heels for half an hour.
take to one's heels to run away. The thief took to his heels.
to heel (of dogs etc) at a person's heel. You must teach your dog to walk to heel in a busy street.
turn on one's heel to turn one's back (and walk off).
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
heel
→ كَعْب pata hæl Ferse φτέρνα talón kantapää talon peta tacco かかと 뒤꿈치 hiel hæl pięta calcanhar пятка häl ส้นเท้า topuk gót chân 脚后跟Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
heel
n. talón, calcañal, parte posterior redondeada del pie.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
heel
n (of the foot or hand) talón m; (of the sole of a shoe) tacón m; — cup talonera; high-heeled de tacón alto; low-heeled de tacón bajoEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.