French heel

American  

noun

1. a high, curved heel, characterized by a heel breast curving into a shank, used on women's shoes.

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French heel British  

noun

1. a fairly high and narrow-waisted heel on women's shoes

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Other Word Forms

• French-heeled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of French heel

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

French heel

"Say, have we got any more of them 4567 French heel, chiffon rosette?"

From Just Around the Corner Romance en casserole by Hurst, Fannie

Here’s the deep imprint of the little French heel, and the narrow, pointed toe.

From The Dragon's Secret by Relyea, C. M. (Charles Mark)

In the strong sun a film of soft earth showed the impress of something quite like the pivoted French heel.

From Jane Allen, Junior by Bancroft, Edith

She has Antony’s heart under her foot, and she turns and turns her French heel on it, as if it were a worm.

From Was It Right to Forgive? A Domestic Romance by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston

She dug her little French heel into the spark.

From The Disturbing Charm by Ruck, Berta