n.
Pronunciation: ' härt
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 singular or plural in construction : 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 , AFFECTIONS <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 1a: 1 aorta, 2 pulmonary artery, 3 left atrium, 4 left ventricle, 5 right ventricle, 6 right atrium