heart

¹heart

noun \ˈhärt\

Definition of HEART

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

Examples of HEART

1. I could feel my heart pounding.
2. He has a bad heart.
3. He put his hand on his heart.
4. When she heard the news, her heart filled with joy.
5. She just couldn't find it in her heart to forgive them.
6. I felt in my heart that our relationship was never meant to be.
7. a ruler without a heart
8. Have a heart! Can't you see he needs help?

Illustration of HEART

Origin of HEART

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HEART

Synonyms: bigheartedness, charity, commiseration, compassion, feeling, good-heartedness, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, largeheartedness, mercy, pity, ruth, softheartedness, sympathy, warmheartedness

Antonyms: coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness, pitilessness

Related Words: feelings, responsiveness, sensibility, sensitivity; affection, love, regard; affinity, empathy, rapport; altruism, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, generosity, goodwill, humaneness, humanism, humanitarianism, philanthropy

Near Antonyms: callousness, coldness, disinterest, indifference, unconcern; cruelty, harshness; animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with HEART

art, cart, chart, Chartres, dart, fart, hart, Harte, kart, mart, part, smart, start, tart