Entry Word: heart

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the capacity for feeling for anotherʼs unhappiness or misfortune <when her parents refused her request for a puppy, Jessica asked, “Have you no heart?”>

Synonyms charity, commiseration, compassion, feeling, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, kindness, mercy, pity, softheartedness, sympathy

Related Words responsiveness, sensitivity; affection, love, regard; affinity, empathy, rapport; altruism, benevolence, benignity, generosity, goodwill, humanitarianism, philanthropy

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

Antonyms hardheartedness, inhumanity, mercilessness

2 the body of knowledge that has been retained in oneʼs mind or the use of it <Dan can recite the entire Declaration of Independence by heart>

Synonyms memory, rote

Related Words association, conning, memorization

3 a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest <the heart of the village economy was the outdoor market> — see center 1
4 strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger <never lost heart while she was lost in the woods> — see courage
5 the central part or aspect of something under consideration <the heart of the problem is the schoolʼs outmoded computer system> — see crux
6 the seat of oneʼs deepest thoughts and emotions <deep down in her heart, she knew he was telling the truth> — see core 1