Correct spelling, explanation: the confusion between heel and heal is likely due to their homophonic nature, meaning they sound the same when spoken but have different meanings and spellings. To avoid these mistakes, it’s important to be aware of the distinct meanings of heel and heal and to proofread or review your writing and speech to ensure you’re using the correct word in the appropriate context. Remember that heel is a noun and heal is a verb.

Definition of heel:
1. noun, the rounded back part of the foot
She felt a sharp pain in her left heel every time she took a step, so she decided to see a podiatrist.
The athlete injured his heel during the marathon, and he had to wear a special brace to support his foot while it healed.
2. noun, the raised part at the back of a shoe, under your heel
The cobbler expertly repaired the damaged heel of his favorite leather boot, making it as good as new.
The stiletto heel on her new shoes made her feel taller and more confident as she walked into the room.

Collocations with heel:
Some most commonly used collocations include:
1. High heel: describes a type of shoe with a tall, slender heel, often worn for formal occasions or fashion.
She wore a stunning pair of high heels to the wedding.
2. Heel height: refers to the measurement of how tall the heel of a shoe is, typically expressed in inches or centimeters.
The heel height on these boots is three inches, which provides both style and comfort.
3. Heel cap: this is a protective covering on the bottom of the heel to prevent excessive wear and tear.
The cobbler replaced the heel cap to extend the life of her favorite shoes.
4. Heel counter: the reinforced part of the shoe that wraps around the back of the heel to provide stability and support.
Properly fitted shoes should have a firm heel counter to prevent foot discomfort.

Correct spelling, explanation: heal and heel do not share the same linguistic roots despite the same pronunciation. The word heal comes from the Old English word hǣlan, which means to make whole or to cure. It has roots in Old English and Germanic languages. The noun heel has different etymological origins – it comes from Middle English hele or hele of the foot, which evolved from Old English hēla, meaning heel of the foot. While these words sound exactly like when spoken, their historical development and linguistic roots are distinct.