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| heart [ haart ] (plural hearts) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. blood-pumping organ: a hollow muscular organ that pumps blood around the body, in humans situated in the center of the chest with its apex directed to the left
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2. left side of chest: the area on the front of the human body that corresponds roughly to the position of the heart
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3. basis of emotional life: the source and center of emotional life, where the deepest and sincerest feelings are located and a person is most vulnerable to pain
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4. character: somebody's essential character
  He's an abrupt-sounding cuss, but he's got a very good heart.
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5. compassion: the ability to feel humane and altruistic feelings
If she had any heart she would forgive him.
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6. affection: affection, love, or warm admiration
The chorus's singing won the hearts of the audience.
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7. spirit: the capacity for courage and determination
She put her whole heart into making a go of the business.
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8. disposition: a mood, mental state, or frame of mind
took the remark in good heart
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9. depiction of heart: a simplified and conventionalized picture of a heart as a rounded, roughly triangular shape, often used to signify love
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10. central part: the distinctive, significant, and characteristic center of something
the heart of rural America
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11. central part of leafy vegetable: the compact central part of a vegetable such as lettuce, cabbage, or celery, where the leaves or stalks curl in tightly
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12. animal heart used as food: the heart of an animal that is cleaned and trimmed, then cooked as food
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13. beloved person: somebody who is intensely loved
Come to me, dear heart.
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14. card games card with heart-shaped symbol: a playing card of the suit of hearts.
See also hearts (sense 1)
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| [ Old English heorte< Indo-European] |
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| -hearted adjective |
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a man or woman after your own heart somebody with tastes, interests, or opinions that are similar to your own
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at heart in essence or reality, and despite contrary appearances
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break somebody's heart to cause somebody intense unhappiness and suffering
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do somebody's heart good to make somebody feel happy or satisfied
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eat your heart out
1. to brood about something that makes you feel unhappy
2. to be consumed with envy
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have somebody's welfare or interests at heart to have somebody's well-being or interests in mind
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heart and soul completely, or with the greatest devotion
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in your heart of hearts in your deepest inner feelings
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learn or know something by heart to memorize or have memorized something
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lose heart to become discouraged
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not have the heart to do something to be unable to bring yourself to do something that is liable to hurt somebody else
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set your heart on something to have something as your ambition or greatest wish
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somebody's heart is in his or her mouth somebody is very afraid or apprehensive, usually at a moment of great danger or uncertainty
My heart was in my mouth as I opened the envelope.
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somebody's heart is in the right place somebody is kind or well-intentioned, often contrary to appearances
Her brusque manner can be somewhat disturbing, but her heart is in the right place.
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take heart to become encouraged and more confident
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take something to heart
1. to take something seriously
2. to be upset by something
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wear your heart on your sleeve to reveal your feelings openly
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with all your heart
1. completely
2. sincerely
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