Achilles' heel. [9], The oldest-known written record of the tendon being named for Achilles is in 1693 by the Flemish/Dutch anatomist Philip Verheyen. Just as it was for Achilles, this area is vulnerable for all of us, as many people suffer a rupture of this tendon during sports activities or exercise, especially after the age of 30. iz ˈhil / a weak point in a person or system that can result in its failure (Definition of Achilles heel from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of … Peleus, his father, discovered the treatment and was alarmed to see Thetis holding the baby in the flames, which offended him and made her leave the treatment incomplete. Information and translations of achilles heel in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. For the anatomical part, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Achilles heel | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary", "Achilles heel | Definition of Achilles heel by Lexico", http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022%3Atext%3DEpitome%3Abook%3DE%3Achapter%3D5%3Asection%3D3, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Achilles%27_heel&oldid=995015173, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles that may contain original research from June 2019, All articles that may contain original research, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 18 December 2020, at 19:12. It mainly occurs in people playing recreational sports, but it can happen to anyone.The Achilles tendon is a strong fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of your calf to your heel bone. Learn more! DICTIONARY.COM I'm trying to lose weight, but ice cream is my, the food supply proved to be the nation's, Post the Definition of Achilles' heel to Facebook, Share the Definition of Achilles' heel on Twitter, Words From 1921: 100 Years Old and Still Around, The Difference Between 'Libel' and 'Liable', 'Talented': That Vile and Barbarous Vocable. But since she held him by one heel, this spot did not touch the water and so remained mortal and vulnerable, and it was here that Achilles was eventually mortally wounded. What does ACHILLES HEEL mean? A weakness or vulnerability that can lead to permanent destruction or downfall. We've listed any clues from our database that match your search. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). The Achilles tendon is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (calcaneus). Today, the tendon that stretches up the calf from the heel is called the Achilles tendon. See the full definition for Achilles' heel in the English Language Learners Dictionary, More from Merriam-Webster on Achilles' heel, Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for Achilles' heel. An Achilles heel is a weakness in spite of overall strength, which can lead to downfall. Definition of ACHILLES HEEL in the Definitions.net dictionary. The term 'Achilles' heel' comes from the myth of Achilles, who was said to have been dipped into the river Styx by his mother Thetis in order to make him invulnerable. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, metaphorical references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common. This is the British English definition of Achilles’ heel.View American English definition of Achilles’ heel. Achilles heel meaning, definition, examples, origin, synonyms An Achilles’ heel is a deadly weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall. The enemy had an Achilles heel somewhere, if only he could find it. Information and translations of ACHILLES HEEL in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. A more likely anatomical basis for Achilles' death, assuming an unpoisoned dart, would have been an injury to his posterior tibial artery behind the medial malleolus, in between the tendons of the flexor digitorum longus and the posterior tibial vein. Achilles tendonitis: Inflammation in the tendon of the calf muscle, where it attaches to the heel bone. What's the meaning of the phrase 'Achilles' heel'? Listen to the audio pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary. His mother held him by the heel, which was not dipped, and it was a wound there that killed him. An Achilles' heel is a weak or vulnerable factor - especially one where all other components are strong. Achilles grew up to be a man of war who survived many great battles. ‘The fiscal service has long been regarded as the Achilles' heel of the whole criminal justice system.’ ‘The concession of late goals has been their Achilles' heel over the last year or so.’ ‘So the narcissist does, after all, have an Achilles' heel - being blind to her own faults.’ This is commonly associated with the site of Achilles' death wound. See the full definition for Achilles' heel in the English Language … To prevent his death, his mother Thetis took Achilles to the River Styx, which was supposed to offer powers of invulnerability, and dipped his body into the water; however, as Thetis held Achilles by the heel, his heel was not washed over by the water of the magical river. The common phrase "Achilles' heel" refers to a surprising weakness or vulnerability in an otherwise strong or powerful person, a vulnerability that eventually leads to a downfall. He was later killed by an arrow wound to the heel. Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. How to Use Achilles’ heel Correctly – Grammarist Grammarist is a professional online English grammar dictionary, that provides a variety of grammatical tools, rules and tips in order to improve your grammar and to help you distinguish between commonly misspelled words. "[10][11] As an expression meaning "area of weakness, vulnerable spot," the use of "Achilles heel" dates only to 1840, with implied use in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Ireland, that vulnerable heel of the British Achilles!" It may be caused by a specific injury that damages your Achilles tendon or can be caused by repeated small amounts of damage through overuse. Achilles (uh-KILL-eez) tendon rupture is an injury that affects the back of your lower leg. Definition of Achilles tendon : the strong tendon joining the muscles in the calf of the leg to the bone of the heel — called also Achilles First Known Use of Achilles tendon 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, idiomatic references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common. The strong tendon formed of the united tendons of the large muscles in the calf of the leg, an inserted into the bone of the heel; -- so called from the mythological account of Achilles being held by the heel when dipped in the River Styx. This area could also have been included in Thetis's grip. Jump to navigation Jump to search. In Greek mythology, the hero Achilles was killed after being struck in the heel—the only weak spot on his body. Your Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon … The Achilles tendon is the very prominent and tough band of tissue that connects the heel bone (calcaneus) to the calf muscles. Definition of Achilles' heel. Achilles heel definition, a portion, spot, area, or the like, that is especially or solely vulnerable: His Achilles heel is his quick temper. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. Improper security measures were the failed company's Achilles' heel. But the term Achilles' heel isn't used in medicine; instead, it's only used with the general meaning "weak point"—for instance, to refer to a section of a country's borders that aren't militarily protected, or to a Jeopardy contestant's ignorance in the Sports category. Although the legend is ancient, the phrase only entered English in the 19th century. Meaning of achilles heel. (noun) Critical weakness which can lead to downfall in spite of overall strength, This article is about the phrase. There will also be a list of synonyms for your answer. “Achilles' heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Achilles%27%20heel. [7], Classical myths attribute Achilles' invulnerability to his mother Thetis having treated him with ambrosia and burned away his mortality in the hearth fire except on the heel, by which she held him. Cite error: A … Related to Achilles Heel: heel pain A specific vulnerability or weakness Molecular biology The terminus of a DNA helix is likened to an Achilles' heel, given its lability when it is not ‘capped’ by a telomere Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? Learn a new word every day. Meaning of ACHILLES HEEL. CONTINUE SCROLLING OR CLICK HERE FOR RELATED SLIDESHOW Horton's Achilles heel was that he could not delegate. From the Greek hero Achilles, whom according to legend his mother held by the heel when she dipped him in the River Styx, making him invulnerable everywhere except on his heel. Achilles' tendon A*chil"les' ten"don ( ), n. [L. Achillis tendo.] Definition and synonyms of Achilles’ heel from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. Accessed 6 Jan. 2021. a weak point or fault in somebody’s character, which can be attacked by other people The desire for publicity became her Achilles heel. In his widely used text Corporis Humani Anatomia he described the tendon's location and said that it was commonly called "the cord of Achilles. Achilles' heel. Definition of Achilles' heel written for English Language Learners from the Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and count/noncount noun labels. The Achilles tendon or heel cord, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is a tendon at the back of the lower leg, and is the thickest in the human body. What does achilles-heel mean? Definition of achilles heel in the Definitions.net dictionary. Change your default dictionary to American English. Thanks for visiting The Crossword Solver. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, idiomatic references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common. In the myths surrounding the war, Achilles was said to have died from a wound to his heel,[4][5] ankle,[6] or torso,[4] which was the result of an arrow—possibly poisoned—shot by Paris. Synonyms: weakness, failing, lack, fault More Synonyms of Achilles heel An Achilles heel[1][2] is a weakness in spite of overall strength, which can lead to downfall. In Greek mythology, when Achilles was a baby, it was foretold that he would die young. from 1810 (Oxford English Dictionary).[12]. Learn more. Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Learn the definition of Achilles’ heel & other commonly used words, phrases, & idioms in the English language. A weakness that may not seem important but is actually mortal. What's the origin of the phrase 'Achilles' heel'? The ancient Greek hero Achilles was made invulnerable by being dipped in the river Styx as a child. The Achilles tendon is also called the calcaneal tendon. See also: Achilles heel Achilles' Heel - something that you feel your'e not good at 191 were donated in September This month, we are on track to donate 197 home recent additions webmaster page banners feed a child (Anat.) What made you want to look up Achilles' heel? How to pronounce Achilles heel. a seemingly small but actual mortal weakness ; Anagrams of Achilles' heel ACHILLES HEEL. Achilles tendinopathy can make it hard to walk and may stop you carrying on as normal. See more. The large and prominent tendon of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles of the calf is called the tendo achilleus or Achilles tendon. from the story that Achilles was vulnerable only in the heel, a chill/shiver runs up/down someone's spine. How to say Achilles heel. Achilles tendonitis causes pain and stiffness at the back of the leg, near the heel. When the hero Achilles was an infant, his sea-nymph mother dipped him into the river Styx to make him immortal. : a fault or weakness that causes or could cause someone or something to fail. What has become a cliche in the English language is one of several modern-day phrases that are left to us from ancient Greek mythology. Tendons are avascular, so such an injury is unlikely to be fatal; however, the myth has the arrow poisoned with the blood of the Lernaean Hydra. Definition, Synonyms, Translations of Achilles heel by The Free Dictionary Delivered to your inbox! A seemingly small but actually crucial weakness. 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