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

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

My French heel caught on the stair; it was torn away.

From The President A novel by Lewis, Alfred Henry

Once more he glanced down at the dainty shoe with its high French heel.

From The Ordeal A Mountain Romance of Tennessee by Duer, Douglas

I was just fishing for an opening to land when Wilbur stayed my upraised arm, and I could only give her a kick on the limb with my French heel.

From The Sorrows of a Show Girl by McGaffey, Kenneth

He caught the French heel in a sudden swipe and the slipper went scudding off into the bushes.

From Stubble by Looms, George