The word "heeled" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription [hiːld]. The first sound is a long "e" sound, followed by a "d" sound. The double "e" in the spelling represents the long "e" sound, while the "l" following it indicates that the consonant is pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the ridge behind the upper front teeth. This spelling is also similar to the past tense of the verb "heel," which means to lean or tilt to one side.
Heeled is an adjective that refers to a person or an animal walking or standing with the heels down and the toes raised, typically seen in individuals wearing high-heeled shoes. In this context, heeled signifies a particular manner of walking or standing, where the weight is primarily on the heel of the foot rather than distributed evenly across the entire foot. This distinctive gait often results in a graceful and elegant stride.
Figuratively, heeled can also describe a person who is financially stable or well-off. In this sense, heeled refers to someone who is in a secure financial position, and thus, can afford luxurious items or experiences. It conveys a sense of prosperity and financial comfort, implying that the individual has an adequate amount of money or resources to meet their needs and desires.
Moreover, heeled can be used to describe an individual who possesses a significant amount of knowledge or expertise in a particular field or area. This usage suggests that the person is well-informed and skilled, often seen as an authority or an expert in their chosen domain. It implies that they have received extensive training, education, or experience in their field, and their expertise can be relied upon.
In summary, "heeled" describes a physical demeanor characterized by walking or standing with the heels down and the toes raised, the financial stability or wealth of a person, or the possession of extensive knowledge and expertise in a specific field.
To be at the heels, to pursue closely; to follow hard; neck and heels, the whole length of the body; to go heels over head, to go over so as to bring the heels uppermost; to move in a hasty precipitate manner; to lay by the heel, to fetter; to confine; to show the heels, to flee; to run from; to take to the heels, to take to flight.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "heeled" has two main origins with different etymologies, depending on its usage.
1. As an adjective for being well-off or wealthy, the term "heeled" comes from the Old English word "helan", which means "to cover, hide, or conceal". In this sense, it referred to the hidden or covered nature of one's wealth or prosperity.
2. As a verb, "heeled" is commonly used in the context of dogs being trained to walk calmly beside their owner. It originated from the practice of teaching dogs to walk at the owner's heel or by their side. This usage developed from the Middle English word "heele", which means "to follow at the heel".
It is essential to discern the context in which "heeled" is used for accurate understanding of its etymology.