Main Entry: ¹heart

Pronunciation: \ˈhärt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English hert, from Old English heorte; akin to Old High German herza heart, Latin cord-, cor, Greek kardia

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a hollow muscular organ of vertebrate animals that by its rhythmic contraction acts as a force pump maintaining the circulation of the blood b : a structure in an invertebrate animal functionally analogous to the vertebrate heart c : breast, bosom d : something resembling a heart in shape; specifically : a stylized representation of a heart
2 a : a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a red heart b plural : the suit comprising cards marked with hearts c plural but sing or plural in constr : a game in which the object is to avoid taking tricks containing hearts
3 a : personality, disposition <a cold heart> b obsolete : intellect
4 : the emotional or moral as distinguished from the intellectual nature: as a : generous disposition : compassion <a leader with heart> b : love, affection <won her heart> c : courage, ardor <never lost heart>
5 : one's innermost character, feelings, or inclinations <knew it in his heart> <a man after my own heart>
6 a : the central or innermost part : center b : the essential or most vital part of something c : the younger central compact part of a leafy rosette (as a head of lettuce)

— at heart : in essence : basically, essentially

— by heart : by rote or from memory

— to heart : with deep concern

[heart illustration]