Download Heart

English 1301 - Brian Doyle - “Joyas Voladoras”
Heart (OED) - n., int., and adv.
Forms: eOE hortum (Mercian, dative plural, prob. transmission error), OE eorta (Mercian)
Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian herte, hirte (West Frisian hert), Old Dutch herta.
I. The organ, its function, region, etc.
(a) The hollow muscular organ which performs the function of a pump in the circulatory system, receiving blood
from the veins and contracting to propel it into the arteries.In early use freq. used loosely to denote the general
region of the heart, esp. with reference to medical conditions and wounds (cf. quot. c1150).
Cf. HEARTACHE n. 1, HEARTBURN n. 2, and sense A. 4.
In all but the most primitive of vertebrates the heart is a single organ, located in the chest or anterior region of the
body. In mammals and birds it is roughly cone-shaped, with the base of the cone uppermost or (in quadrupeds)
anterior and its apex, where the heartbeat is most clearly felt, located to the left of the midline of the chest; it
consists of four chambers, two atria and two ventricles, with separate right and left sides (see sense A. 1d). In
reptiles and most amphibians, the heart has two atria and a single ventricle, while in fishes it typically consists of a
series of four chambers in a row (sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle, and conus arteriosus). lymph heart:
see LYMPH n. Compounds 3. See also OPEN HEART n. OE—2010.
2. The heart considered as the centre of the vital or life-maintaining functions of the body; the seat of
life; the vital part or principle; (in some contexts) life itself. Now rare (chiefly hist. in later use). OE—1997.
3. a. In extended use: that part of the front of the body which is near to the heart; the vicinity of the
heart; the chest. Esp. with reference to the action of placing or holding something close to this location as an
expression or gesture of affection, esteem, etc., or for comfort. hand on heart: see HAND n. Phrases 2m(c).
OE—2006.
b. Similarly in expressions such as near (also nearest) (to) one's heart, to hold to one's heart, etc., in which
fond regard or great affection for a person or thing (cf. sense A. 10) rather than actual physical proximity is
meant. 1491—1994.
II. The bodily organ considered or imagined as the seat of feeling, understanding, and thought.
a. In the most general sense: the mind (including the functions of feeling and volition as well as intellect).to set
one's heart on: see SET v.1 37a. eOE—2004.
b. Described as having ears, eyes, or other organs or limbs, by analogy with the faculties of the mind,
understanding, or emotions that these may be said to represent. Cf. heart of hearts at Phrases 2g(b) and one's
mind's eye at MIND n.1 19b(a). OE—2004.
6. a. The seat or repository of a person's inmost thoughts, feelings, inclinations, etc.; a person's inmost being; the
depths of the soul; the soul, the spirit. See also a person's heart's desire at Phrases 2c(a). OE—2008.
b. In pl. in collocation with minds, esp. to suggest combined emotional and intellectual support or approval as
something to be sought or courted. See also Phrases 2h. ?1526—2012.
7. (One's) intent, will, purpose; inclination, desire. Earliest and freq. (now chiefly) in
after a person's (own) heart at Phrases 1a. See also to follow one's heart at FOLLOW - v. Additions. eOE—2002.
8. Disposition, temperament, character. Freq. with preceding modifying adjective (as kind, merry, etc.).
Cf. HARD-HEARTED adj., KIND-HEARTED adj., TRUE-HEARTED adj., etc.
9. a. The heart considered as the seat of the emotions generally; a person's emotional nature (often contrasted
with the intellectual or rationalizing nature located in the head (HEAD n.1 2a)). OE—2003.
b. With modifying adjective: the feeling or sentiment which one has in regard to a thing. 1512—2002.
10. a. The heart considered as the seat of love, attachment, or affection, or as representing a person's affections,
devotion, loyalty, etc. In later use freq. with give, win, etc., denoting the bestowing or gaining of a person's love
or affections. See also to lose one's heart (to) at Phrases 3g(b). Cf. affair of the heart n. at AFFAIR n. Phrases
2. OE—2010.
b. Susceptibility to the emotions involved in matters of (romantic) love or affection, generosity, sympathy, etc.;
sensibility or tenderness for others; feeling. Freq. in negative contexts. Cf. HEARTLESS adj. 4. 1557—2007.
†c. Kindly feeling; cordiality, warmth; an instance of this. Obs. rare. a1656—1827.
11. a. The heart considered as the seat of courage or morale. Also: courage, spirit, pluck; (one's) morale or
spirits.See also in heart at Phrases 1f(c)(i), to lose heart at Phrases 3g(a), to pluck up heart at PLUCK v. Phrasal
verbs, to take (in early use †nim) heart at Phrases 3k(a). eOE—2011.
b. (The source of) energy, vigour, enthusiasm, or commitment. Freq. in negative contexts, and also in various
fixed phrases, as to have the heart at Phrases 3e(a), to put one's heart into at Phrases 3i(b), etc. Cf. HALFHEARTED adj. a, WHOLEHEARTED adj. 1682—2001.
12. The heart considered as the seat of perception or of the intellectual faculties generally; (also) understanding,
intellect, mind; (in later use esp.) memory. Now rare except in by heart at Phrases 1c.OE—1961.
13. Conscience; a person's moral sense. In later use esp. with smite (originally after biblical use as in quot. a1382).
a1225—2001.
20. With reference to non-material things: the vital, essential, significant, or operative part; the essence or core
(of something). 1603—1990.
IV. Used of a person, esp. as a term of endearment, etc.
21. As a term of endearment: a loved one; (with possessive adjective) (one's) beloved, (one's) darling.
Freq. as a form of address. Often with modifying adjective, chiefly dear and sweet (see SWEETHEART n.).See
also dear heart at DEAR adj.1 5d. c1300—2004.
22. Originally: a person considered in respect of his or her bravery, courage, or other admirable qualities
(usu. with preceding modifying adjective). In later (esp. Naut.) use also in pl. without preceding descriptive
adjective as a form of address, esp. as my hearts (now arch.; cf. HEARTY n. 2). 1340—1988.
23. As a term of compassion, esp. in poor heart (cf. POOR adj. 5 and poor soul at SOUL n. 10a(a)). a1600—1998.