heel

heel¹

1. the back part of the human foot from the instep to the lower part of the ankle

2. the corresponding part in other vertebrates

3. Horticulture the small part of the parent plant that remains attached to a young shoot cut for propagation and that ensures more successful rooting

4. Nautical

a. the bottom of a mast

b. the after end of a ship's keel

5. the back part of a golf club head where it bends to join the shaft

6. Rugby possession of the ball as obtained from a scrum (esp in the phrase get the heel)

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heel²

inclined position from the vertical

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heel [hēl]

(mechanical engineering)

heel block

(metallurgy)

A quantity of molten metal remaining in the ladle after pouring a metal cast-ing.

A quantity of metal retained in an induction furnace during a stand-by period.

(navigation)

Of a ship, to incline or to be inclined to one side.

(ordnance)

Upper corner of the butt of a rifle stock held in firing position.