Dictionary
keel
Pronunciation: (kēl), [key]—
n.
1. Naut.a central fore-and-aft structural member in the bottom of a hull, extending from the stem to the sternpost and having the floors or frames attached to it, usually at right angles: sometimes projecting from the bottom of the hull to provide stability.
2. Literary.a ship or boat.
3. a part corresponding to a ship's keel in some other structure, as in a dirigible balloon.
4. (
cap.)
Astron.the constellation Carina.
5. Bot., Zool.a longitudinal ridge, as on a leaf or bone; a carina.
6. Also called
brace molding. Archit.a projecting molding the profile of which consists of two ogees symmetrically disposed about an arris or fillet.
7. on an even keel, in a state of balance; steady; steadily:
The affairs of state are seldom on an even keel for long.
—
v.t., v.i.
1. to turn or upset so as to bring the wrong side or part uppermost.
2. keel over,
a. to capsize or overturn.
b. to fall as in a faint:
Several cadets keeled over from the heat during the parade. keel
Pronunciation: (kēl), [key]—
n. Brit. Dial.
1. keelboat.
2. a keelboat load of coal; the amount of coal carried by one keelboat.
3. a measure of coal equivalent to 21 long tons and 4 hundredweight (21.5 metric tons).
keel
Pronunciation: (kēl), [key]—
v.t. Brit. Dial.
to cool, esp. by stirring.
keel
Pronunciation: (kēl), [key]—
n.
a red ocher stain used for marking sheep, lumber, etc.; ruddle.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
