Heeling error(Naut.), a deviation of the compass caused by the heeling of an iron vessel to one side or the other.

Heel
(Heel), n. [OE. hele, heele, AS. hela, perh. for hohila, fr. AS. hoh heel (cf. Hough); but cf. D. hiel, OFries. heila, hela, Icel. hæll, Dan. hæl, Sw. häl, and L. calx. &radic12. Cf. Inculcate.]

1. The hinder part of the foot; sometimes, the whole foot; — in man or quadrupeds.

He [the stag] calls to mind his strength and then his speed,
His winged heels and then his armed head.
Denham.

2. The hinder part of any covering for the foot, as of a shoe, sock, etc.; specif., a solid part projecting downward from the hinder part of the sole of a boot or shoe.

3. The latter or remaining part of anything; the closing or concluding part. "The heel of a hunt." A. Trollope. "The heel of the white loaf." Sir W. Scott.

4. Anything regarded as like a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob.

5. The part of a thing corresponding in position to the human heel; the lower part, or part on which a thing rests; especially: (a) (Naut.) The after end of a ship's keel. (b) (Naut.) The lower end of a mast, a boom, the bowsprit, the sternpost, etc. (c) (Mil.) In a small arm, the corner of the but which is upwards in the firing position. (d) (Mil.) The uppermost part of the blade of a sword, next to the hilt. (e) The part of any tool next the tang or handle; as, the heel of a scythe.

6. (Man.) Management by the heel, especially the spurred heel; as, the horse understands the heel well.

7. (Arch.) (a) The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter. In the United States, specif., the obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping. (b) A cyma reversa; — so called by workmen. Gwilt.

Heel chain(Naut.), a chain passing from the bowsprit cap around the heel of the jib boom.Heel plate, the butt plate of a gun.Heel of a rafter. (Arch.) See Heel, n., 7.Heel ring, a ring

3. A look or expression of heading. [R.]

He did it with a serious mind; a heed
Was in his countenance.
Shak.

Heedful
(Heed"ful) a. Full of heed; regarding with care; cautious; circumspect; attentive; vigilant. Shak.

Heed"ful*ly, adv.Heed"ful*ness, n.

Heedless
(Heed"less), a. Without heed or care; inattentive; careless; thoughtless; unobservant.

O, negligent and heedless discipline!
Shak.

The heedless lover does not know
Whose eyes they are that wound him so.
Waller.

Heed"less*ly, adv.Heed"less*ness, n.

Heedy
(Heed"y) a. Heedful. [Obs.] "Heedy shepherds." Spenser.Heed"i*ly adv. [Obs.] — Heed"i*ness, n. [Obs.] Spenser.

Heel
(Heel) v. i. [OE. helden to lean, incline, AS. heldan, hyldan; akin to Icel. halla, Dan. helde, Sw. hälla to tilt, pour, and perh. to E. hill.] (Naut.) To lean or tip to one side, as a ship; as, the ship heels aport; the boat heeled over when the squall struck it.


  By PanEris using Melati.

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