Heel

Heel - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

HEEL, n. [L. calx; Gr. a tumor.]

1. The hind part of the foot, particularly of man; but it is applied also to the corresponding part of the feet of quadrupeds.

2. The whole foot.

The stag recalls his strength, his speed,

His winged heels--

3. The hind part of a shoe, either for man or beast.

4. The part of a stocking intended for the heel.

To be out at the heels, is to have on stockings that are worn out.

5. Something shaped like the human heel; a protuberance or knob.

6. The latter part; as, a bill was introduced into the legislature at the heel of the session.

7. A spur.

This horse understands the heel well.

8. The after end of a ship's keel; the lower end of the stern-post to which it is connected; also,the lower end of a mast.

To be at the heels, to pursue closely; to follow hard; also, to attend closely.

Hungry want is at my heels.

To show the heels, to flee; to run from.

To take to the heels, to flee; to betake to flight.

To lay by the heels, to fetter; to shackle; to confine.

To have the heels of, to outrun.

Neck and heels, the whole length of the body.

HEEL, v.i. To dance.

HEEL, v.t. To arm a cock.

1. To add a heel to; as, to heel a shoe.

HEEL v.i. To incline; to lean; as a ship; as, the ship heels a-port, or a star-board.

hel (`aqebh): "The iniquity of my heels" (Ps 49:5 the King James Version) is a literal translation, and might be understood to indicate the Psalmist's "false steps," errors or sins, but that meaning is very doubtful here. the Revised Version (British and American) gives "iniquity at my heels." the Revised Version margin gives a still better sense, "When the iniquity of them that would supplant me compasseth me about, even of them that trust in .... riches"--treacherous enemies ever on the watch to trip up a man's heels (compare Ho 12:3). Of Judah it was said, "Thy heels (shall) suffer violence" (Jer 13:22) through being "made bare" (the King James Version), and thus subject to the roughness of the road as she was led captive.

Figurative:

(1) Of the partial victory of the evil power over humanity, "Thou shalt bruise (m "lie in wait for") his heel" (Ge 3:15), through constant, insidious suggestion of the satisfaction of the lower desires. Or if we regard this statement as a part of the Protevangelium, the earliest proclamation of Christ's final, and complete victory over sin, the destruction of "the serpent" ("He shall bruise thy head"), then the reference is evidently to Christ's sufferings and death, even to all that He endured in His human nature.

(2) Of the stealthy tactics of the tribe of Da in war, "An adder in the path, that biteth the horse's heels" (Ge 49:17), by which it triumphed over foes of superior strength.

(3) Of violence and brutality, "Who .... hath lifted up his heel against me" (Ps 41:9; Joh 13:18), i.e. lifted up his foot to trample upon me (compare Jos 10:24).

M. O. Evans