What does keeling mean?
Keeling is a verb that refers to the action of causing a ship or boat to heel or tilt to one side. It is often used in nautical contexts, where it is used to describe the action of adjusting the balance of the sails or taking on water. The word has a strong connotation of movement and action, and is often used in conjunction with other verbs. Keeling is a useful word for anyone who wants to describe the action of a ship or boat in a precise and technical way. It is also an interesting word because of its etymological connection to the word 'keel', which refers to the bottom of a ship or boat. Overall, keeling is a word that is worth knowing for anyone who is interested in nautical terminology or wants to add some precision to their language.
verbTo cause a ship or boat to heel or tilt to one side, typically by shifting its weight or by the action of the wind or waves.
- To cause a ship or boat to heel or tilt to one side.
"The sailor had to keel the boat to adjust the balance of the sails."
"The sailor had to keel the boat to adjust the balance of the sails."
"The strong wind caused the boat to keel and take on water."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of keeling
The word 'keeling' is derived from the verb 'to keel', which refers to the action of causing a ship or boat to heel or tilt to one side. The verb 'to keel' is thought to have originated in the 15th century, and is likely derived from the Old English word 'cēol', which referred to a ship or boat. The word 'keeling' has been used in English since the 17th century, and has been used in a variety of contexts, including nautical and literary.
How keeling is actually used
In nautical contexts, keeling refers to the action of causing a ship or boat to heel or tilt to one side. It is often used in conjunction with other verbs, such as 'to adjust the balance of the sails' or 'to take on water'.