KEEL, n. 1. The principal timber in a ship, extending from stem to stern at the bottom, and supporting the whole frame.2. A low flat-bottomed vessel, used in the river Tyne, to convey coals from Newcastle for loading the colliers.3. In botany, the lower petal of a papilionaceous corol, inclosing the stamens and pistil.False keel, a strong thick piece of timber, bolted to the bottom of the keel, to preserve it from injury. On an even keel, in a level or horizontal position. KEEL, v.t. To cool. KEEL, v.t. To plow with a keel; to navigate. 1. To turn up the keel; to show the bottom.To keel the pot, in Ireland, to scum it.
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