HEEL, h[=e]l, _n._ the part of the foot projecting behind: the whole foot
(esp. of beasts): the covering of the heel, as on a boot: a spur: the
hinder part of anything.--_v.t._ to use the heel: to furnish with heels: to
arm with a steel spur, as a fighting cock: to seize by the heels: (_U.S._)
to supply with money.--_v.i._ to follow well (of a dog).--_n._ HEEL'-BALL,
a black waxy composition for blacking the heels and soles of boots, for
taking impressions of coins, &c., by rubbing: a shoemaker's last.--_p.adj._
HEELED, provided with a heel, shod: (_U.S._) comfortably supplied with
money.--_n._ HEEL'ER (_U.S._), an unscrupulous hanger-on of a political
party; HEEL'PIECE, a piece or cover for the heel; HEEL'-TAP, a small
quantity of beer or spirits left in the glass after drinking.--HEEL AND
TOE, with proper walking, as opposed to running; HEELS O'ER GOWDY
(_Scot._), heels over head; HEELS OVER HEAD, upside down.--AT, ON, UPON, A
PERSON'S HEELS, close behind; DOWN AT HEEL, having the heels of one's shoes
trodden down: slovenly: in poor circumstances; KICK ONE'S HEELS, to be kept
waiting for some time; LAY, SET, CLAP, BY THE HEELS, to fetter: to put in
confinement; OUT AT HEELS, having the stockings or shoes worn out at the
heels; SHOW A CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS, TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS, to run off with
haste: to flee; TRIP UP (ONE'S) HEELS, to trip up or overthrow him; TURN ON
(UPON) ONE'S HEEL, to turn sharply round, to turn back or away. [A.S.
_héla_; Dut. _hiel_.]
HEEL, h[=e]l, _v.i._ to incline: to lean on one side, as a ship.--_v.t._ to
tilt. [Earlier _heeld_, A.S. _hieldan_, to slope; cf. Dut. _hellen_.]
HEEZE, h[=e]z, _v.t._ (_Scot._) a form of hoise.--_n._ a lift.
HEFT, heft, _n._ heaving: (_Shak._) retching: (_U.S._) weight: the bulk
of.--_v.t._ to try the weight of.--_adj._ HEFT'Y, rather heavy: easy to
lift. [_Heave_.]
HEFT (_Spens._), obsolete form of _heaved_.
HEFT, heft, _v.t._ to accustom to a thing or place: (_Scot._) to attach.
[Cf. Ice. _hefdha_, Sw. _häfda_, Dan. _hævde_.]