Keel

kel, n. The principal timber in a shiD, extending from stem to stern at the bortom, and supporting the whole frame: see Ship; hence, a ship; a flat-bottomed ve el, to convey coal; a broad, ve el, lor cooling liquids; a keeler. (not.) The 2 lowest petals of the co.-olla of a papilionaceous flower, inclosing the stamens and pistil. (Nat. Hist.) A projecting ridge along the middle of a flat or curving surface. — v. i. [k e e le n (keld), keeling.] To plow with a keel, navigate; to t mi up the Keel. (Bot.) keel, show the bottom.— False keel. A strong timber bolted to the bottom of the keel, protect it. — Keel'age, -e.j, n.