keel1

 
Pronunciation: /kiːl/

noun

  • 1the lengthwise timber or steel structure along the base of a ship, supporting the framework of the whole, in some vessels extended downwards as a ridge to increase stability.
  • literary a ship: to buy a new keel with my gold, And fill her with such things as she may hold
  • 2 Zoology a ridge along the breastbone of many birds to which the flight muscles are attached; the carina.
  • 3 Botany a prow-shaped pair of petals present in flowers of the pea family.

verb

[no object] (keel over)
  • (of a boat or ship) turn over on its side; capsize: it’s going to take more wind to make this boat keel over
  • informal (of a person or thing) fall over; collapse: a wardrobe was about to keel over on top of him

Derivatives

keeled

adjective
[in combination]: a deep-keeled yacht

keelless

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old Norse kjǫlr, of Germanic origin