Definitions for keels

• Definition
• Anagrams (40)

keels keel

Spelling: [keel]

IPA: /kil/

Keels is a 5 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 8 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 9 points.

You can make 40 anagrams from letters in keels (eekls).

Definitions for keels

noun

1. Nautical. 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. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Carina.
5. Botany, Zoology. a longitudinal ridge, as on a leaf or bone; a carina.
6. Also called brace molding. Architecture. a projecting molding the profile of which consists of two ogees symmetrically disposed about an arris or fillet.
7. keelboat.
8. a keelboat load of coal; the amount of coal carried by one keelboat.
9. a measure of coal equivalent to 21 long tons and 4 hundredweight (21.5 metric tons).
10. a red ocher stain used for marking sheep, lumber, etc.; ruddle.

Idioms

1. on an even keel, in a state of balance; steady; steadily:

Verb phrases

1. keel over, to capsize or overturn. to fall as in a faint:

verb (used with object)

1. to cool, especially by stirring.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to turn or upset so as to bring the wrong side or part uppermost.

Origin of keels

1325-75; 1895-1900 for def 8; Middle English kele Old Norse kjǫlr; cognate with Old English cēol keel, ship; see keel²

Examples for keels

Our keel had rubbed bottom and Hamilton was springing out of the other canoe.

Then one could go out into the midst of the people and keel over a world.

About halfway down the keel of the ship you'll find a chain hanging.

There are three things we've forgotten, the stem, stern-post, and keel.

Sometimes there was twelve foot under her keel and sometimes eight or nine.

Does it matter that one keel should slip through the grip of the Polar ice?

The keel was laid for a ship of thirty-five tons, to be named the Pilot.

You will when the wind steadies; it's squally just now, and she feels it, for she has no keel.

They are narrow, round below, have no keel and may be easily overset.

It had been blockaded for months with its keel out of water.