The principal timber in a ship, extending from stem to stern at the bottom, and supporting the whole frame.

A low flat-bottomed vessel, used in the river Tyne, to convey coals from Newcastle for loading the colliers.

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.

To cool.

To plow with a keel; to navigate.

To turn up the keel; to show the bottom. To keel the pot, in Ireland, to scum it.