keel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the main lengthwise structure along the bottom of a ship or boat, supporting its frame and helping stabilize it

   The blast struck near the keel but did not break the vessel's hull.

2. 2
   noun

   a prominent central ridge resembling a ship's keel, such as on a bird's breastbone or a flower petal

   The bird's deep keel anchors the powerful muscles used in flight.

Common collocations

• bilge keel Noun + noun
• keel over Verb + adverb

From Middle English kele, probably from Old Norse kjǫlr, 'keel,' and related to Old English cēol, 'ship.' The anatomical and botanical ridge senses arose by resemblance to the projecting structural line beneath a vessel.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images