keel: Meaning and Definition of

keel

1. 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. a ship or boat.
3. a part corresponding to a ship's keel in some other structure, as in a dirigible balloon.
4. (cap.)the constellation Carina.
5. a longitudinal ridge, as on a leaf or bone; a carina.
6. Also calleda projecting molding the profile of which consists of two ogees symmetrically disposed about an arris or fillet.
7. in a state of balance; steady; steadily: The affairs of state are seldom on an even keel for long.

1. to turn or upset so as to bring the wrong side or part uppermost.
2. Several cadets keeled over from the heat during the parade.
1. to capsize or overturn.
2. to fall as in a faint:Several cadets keeled over from the heat during the parade.

keel

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

1. to cool, esp. by stirring.

keel

1. a red ocher stain used for marking sheep, lumber, etc.; ruddle.