[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/heel/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [H](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/h/) / heel # heel noun (a heel, heels); verb (heel, heels, heeled, heeling) «heel» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. The back part of your foot under the ankle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#m1) 2. The part of a shoe or sock under the back of the foot; «heels» can mean shoes with high heels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#m2) 3. The lower back part of the palm of your hand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#m3) 4. (verb) «Heel!» is a command telling a dog to walk close by your side. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#m4) 5. To take to your heels means to run away quickly, and to be at someone's heels means to follow right behind them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#m5) ### In the lessons In science and the body, the heel takes your weight when you walk. In first aid, a blister on the heel comes from tight shoes. In pet care, teaching a dog to «heel» keeps it safe on walks. Phrases: «on someone's heels», «high heels», «Achilles heel», «dig your heels in», «head over heels». ### Examples - I got a blister on my heel from my new shoes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#x1) - Mum wears heels to parties. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#x2) - The dog walked at my heel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#x3) - «Heel!» said the trainer, and the dog stopped pulling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#x4) - My sock has a hole in the heel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#x5) - The puppy followed close on my heels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#x6) - Push with the heel of your hand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#x7) - All took to their heels the moment they saw him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/#x8) ### Note Countable: heels. Homophone: «heal» (get better) — «the cut on my heel will heal». «Dig your heels in» means refuse to change your mind. «Head over heels» means falling over or being very much in love. ## In Jewish tradition In Genesis, Jacob takes hold of Esau's heel and is named for it. In the Prophets and Writings the heel is also used as a picture. A snare takes a man "by the heel," and a friend who "lifts up his heel" is one who turns against you. Hosea looks back to Jacob taking his brother by the heel in the womb. **Interpretation.** Jacob is named for holding Esau's heel (akev). The rabbis see this as a hint that he would follow and overtake his brother. Dan and Gad are likened to a serpent and a troop by the heel. Tradition reads the friend who lifts his heel as the trusted person who betrays, and Hosea's words as a reminder of Jacob's early strength and later wrestling. ### Examples - Gad, a troop shall troop upon him; but he shall troop upon their heel. (Torah GEN.49.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/heel/#x1) - And after that came forth his brother, and his hand had hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob. (Torah GEN.25.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/heel/#x2) - Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a horned snake in the path, that biteth the horse's heels, so that his rider falleth backward. (Torah GEN.49.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/heel/#x3) - A gin shall take him by the heel, and a snare shall lay hold on him. (Writings JOB.18.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/heel/#x4) - In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength he strove with a godlike being; (Prophets HOS.12.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/heel/#x5) - Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (Writings PSA.41.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/heel/#x6) ### Note Countable: heels. Homophone: «heal» (get better) — «the cut on my heel will heal». «Dig your heels in» means refuse to change your mind. «Head over heels» means falling over or being very much in love. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «heel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/heel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«heel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/heel.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «heel» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/heel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«heel» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/heel.html) on Mova free.