keel
1 (kēl)
[Middle English kele, from Old Norse kjölr.]
noun
- Nautical
- The principal structural member of a ship, running lengthwise along the center line from bow to stern, to which the frames are attached.
- A ship.
- A structure, such as the breastbone of a bird, that resembles a ship's keel in function or shape.
- The principal structural member of an aircraft, resembling a ship's keel in shape and function.
- 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 verbs
- keel over
- To collapse or fall into or as if into a faint.