keel

views updated Jun 27 2018

keel¹ / kēl/ • n. the longitudinal structure along the centerline at the bottom of a vessel’s hull, on which the rest of the hull is built, in some vessels extended downward as a blade or ridge to increase stability. ∎ Zool. a ridge along the breastbone of many birds to which the flight muscles are attached; the carina. ∎ Bot. a prow-shaped pair of petals present in flowers of the pea family.• v. [intr.] (keel over) inf. (of a person or thing) fall over; collapse.DERIVATIVES: keeled adj. [in comb.] a deep-keeled yacht. keel² • n. Brit. a flat-bottomed freight boat; a keelboat.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

keel

views updated May 21 2018

keel. Common First and Second Pointed moulding on vault-ribs and elsewhere, resembling the keel of a ship, in section consisting of two ogees or convex curves meeting at an arris, and sometimes at a fillet. Some authorities hold that a keel-moulding consists of two curves meeting at an arris rather than a fillet.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

keel

views updated May 08 2018

keel
1. (carina) An external, longitudinal ridge situated on the venter of an ammonoid (Ammonoidea).

2. In flying birds, a ridge projecting forward from the sternum and serving for the attachment of the enlarged pectoral muscles.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

keel

views updated May 21 2018

keel1 lowest longitudinal timber (or iron plating) of a ship XIV; (nat. hist.) central ridge XVI. ME. kele — ON. kjǫlr :- Gmc *keluz.
So keelhaul, keelhale XVII. — Du. kielhalen. See HALE2.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

keel

views updated Jun 27 2018

keel
1. (carina) A cup-like petal (e.g. in Pisum flowers) formed by the fusion of two petals.

2. Any structure resembling a ridge, or the keel of a boat.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

keel

views updated May 29 2018

keel2 flat-bottomed vessel, lighter. XIV. ME. kele — MLG. kēl, MDu. kiel ship, boat = OE. ċēol, OS., OHG. kiol (Du., G. kiel), ON. kjóll :- Gmc. * keulaz.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

keel

views updated May 23 2018

keel (carina) The projection of bone from the sternum (breastbone) of a bird or bat, to which the powerful flight muscles are attached. The sterna of flightless birds (e.g. ostrich and emu) lack keels.

A Dictionary of Biology