KEEK, k[=e]k, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to peep.--_n._ a peep.--_ns._ KEEK'ER, an
inspector of mining; KEEK'ING-GLASS, a mirror. [M. E. _kyken_; cf. Dut.
_kijken_, Ger. _kucken_.]
KEEL, k[=e]l, _n._ the part of a ship extending along the bottom from stem
to stern, and supporting the whole frame: a low flat-bottomed boat: a Tyne
coal-barge: a ship generally: (_bot._) the lowest petals of the corolla of
a papilionaceous flower.--_v.t._ or _v.i._ to plough with a keel, to
navigate: to turn keel upwards.--_n._ KEEL'AGE, dues for a keel or ship in
port.--_adj._ KEELED (_bot._) keel-shaped: having a prominence on the
back.--_ns._ KEEL'ER, KEEL'MAN, one who works on a barge.--_v.t._
KEEL'HAUL, to punish by hauling under the keel of a ship by ropes from the
one side to the other: to treat a subordinate in a galling manner. [A.S.
_ceól_, a ship; Ger. and Dut. _kiel_; prob. confused with Ice. _kiölr_, a
keel.]