heel

Definition

The rear part of the foot, where it joins the leg.

Etymology

From Middle English hele, from Old English hēla, from Proto-West Germanic *hą̄hilō, from Proto-Germanic *hanhilaz, diminutive of Proto-Germanic *hanhaz (“heel, hock”), equivalent to hock + -le. More at hock. Compare North Frisian haiel, West Frisian hyl, Dutch hiel, German Low German Hiel, Danish and Norwegian hæl, Swedish häl.

Example Sentences

• "He [the stag] calls to mind his strength and then his speed, / His winged heels and then his armed head."
• "He drove the heel of his hand into the man's nose."
• "She'd been wearing heels, and fell backward off her right heel and twisted or broke her ankle."