the back part of the human foot, below and behind the ankle.
an analogous part in other vertebrates.
either hind foot or hoof of some animals, as the horse.
the foot as a whole: He was hung by the heels.
the part of a stocking, shoe, or the like covering the back part of the wearer's foot.
a solid, raised base or support of leather, wood, rubber, etc., attached to the sole of a shoe or boot under the back part of the foot.
heels,high-heeled shoes.
something resembling the back part of the human foot in position, shape, etc.: a heel of bread.
the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist.
the latter or concluding part of anything: the heel of a session.
the lower end of any of various more or less vertical objects, as rafters, spars, or the sternposts of vessels.
Nautical.
the after end of a keel.
the inner end of a bowsprit or jib boom.
the crook in the head of a golf club.
Building Trades. the exterior angle of an angle iron.
Railroads. the end of a frog farthest from a switch.
Horticulture. the base of any part, as of a cutting or tuber, that is removed from a plant for use in the propagation of that plant.
verb (used with object)
to follow at the heels of; chase closely.
to furnish with heels, as shoes.
to perform (a dance) with the heels.
Golf. to strike (the ball) with the heel of the club.
to arm (a gamecock) with spurs.
verb (used without object)
(of a dog) to follow at one's heels on command.
to use the heels, as in dancing.
Verb Phrases
heel in,to cover temporarily (the roots and most of the stem of a plant) with soil prior to permanent planting.
Idioms for heel
at one's heels, close behind one: The police are at his heels.Also at heel .
cool one's heels, to be kept waiting, especially because of deliberate discourtesy: The producer let the actors who were waiting to be auditioned cool their heels in the outer office.
down at the heels, having a shabby, slipshod, or slovenly appearance.Also down at heel,down at the heel,out at heels,out at the heels .
his heels, Cribbage. a jack turned up as a starter, counting two points for the dealer.
kick up one's heels, to have a vigorously entertaining time; frolic: Grandfather could still kick up his heels now and then.
lay by the heels,
to arrest and imprison.
to prevail over; render ineffectual: Superior forces laid the invaders by the heels.
on / upon the heels of, closely following; in quick succession of: On the heels of the hurricane came an outbreak of looting.
show a clean pair of heels, to leave one's pursuers or competitors behind; outrun: The thief showed his victim a clean pair of heels.Also show one's heels to .
take to one's heels, to run away; take flight: The thief took to his heels as soon as he saw the police.
to heel,
close behind: The dog followed the hunter to heel.
under control or subjugation: The attackers were brought swiftly to heel.
Origin of heel
1
First recorded before 850; Middle English hele,heil(l)e; Old English hēla, hǽla; cognate with Old Frisian hēla, Dutch hiel, Old Norse hǣll; see hock1
OTHER WORDS FROM heel
heelless,adjective
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heel
heal, heel , he'll
Words nearby heel
heebie-jeebies, heed, heedful, heedless, heehaw, heel, heel-and-toe, heel-and-toe racing, heelball, heel bar, heel bone
Definition for heel (2 of 3)
heel2
[ heel ]
/ hil /
verb (used without object)
to incline to one side; cant; tilt: The ship heeled in going about.
verb (used with object)
to cause to lean or cant.
noun
a heeling movement; a cant.
Origin of heel
2
First recorded 1565–75; variant of earlier heeld (the -d was reinterpreted or misinterpreted as a sign of the past tense); Middle English helden, hielden, hælden “to bend, incline”; Old English -hildan, -hieldan, -heldan “to lean, slope, incline”; akin to Old English heald “inclined,” Old Norse hallr “sloping”
Definition for heel (3 of 3)
heel3
[ heel ]
/ hil /
noun
a contemptibly dishonorable or irresponsible person: We all feel like heels for ducking out on you like this.
Professional Wrestling. a headlining wrestler who plays a villainous role and typically loses matches to the wrestler playing a heroic character.Compare face (def. 19).
Origin of heel
3
An Americanism first recorded in 1910–15; perhaps from heel in the extended sense “someone or something in a very low position”; perhaps from down-at-the-heels (applied to an undesirable person constantly at one's heels); perhaps a euphemistic shortening of shit-heel
see Achilles' heel; at someone's heels; bring to heel; cool one's heels; dig in (one's heels); drag one's feet (heels); head over heels; kick up one's heels; on the heels of; out at the elbows (heels); set back on one's heels; show one's heels; take to one's heels; to heel; turn on one's heel.