I. ˈhevən also -ev ə m or -eb ə m noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English heven, hevene, from Old English heofon; akin to Old High German himil, Old Saxon heƀan sky, heaven, Old Norse himinn, Gothic himins sky, heaven, Old English hama covering — more at hame
1.
a. : the expanse of space surrounding the earth ; especially : the expanse that seems to be over the earth like a great arch or dome : firmament , celestial sphere — usually used in plural
b. : the part of the atmosphere in which clouds and winds occur and birds fly and from which rain and snow fall : the part of the atmosphere that is relatively dense and close to solid earth and that forms part of the biosphere
a flock of geese crossing the bright heaven
c. archaic : climate
d. : one of a series of realms represented (as in ancient and medieval cosmographies) as extending up or out from the earth
2. often capitalized : the dwelling place of the Deity : a celestial abode of bliss : the place or state of the blessed dead — compare elysium , happy hunting grounds, nirvana , paradise
3. usually capitalized : the sovereign of heaven : god ; also : heavenly beings : the assembly of the blessed
her prayers, whom Heaven delights to hear — Shakespeare
4.
a. : a place or condition or period of utmost happiness, comfort, or delight : perfect felicity or contentment
our week at the lake was heaven after the city's heat
the mountain heaven to which we hope to retire one day
this shabby proletarian heaven
b. : a sublime or exalted condition
the heavens of the imagination
c. : a transcendent cosmos or domain ; specifically : a realm of subsistent or eternal forms or entities
a Platonic heaven of ideas
5. heavens plural but singular in construction : a canopy or covering used over the stage in some Elizabethan theaters
6. : a divine state and condition of immortality in the doctrine of Christian Science in which sin is absent and all manifestations of Mind are harmoniously ordered under the divine Principle
7. in Chinese religion
a. : universal law
b. : nature
c. : cosmic ethical principle
d. : inexorable fate
e. : a supreme personal power
•
- heaven knows
- in heaven
- to heaven
II. transitive verb
( heavened ; heavened ; heavening -v(ə)niŋ, -v ə miŋ, -b ə miŋ ; heavens )
1. obsolete : to place in happiness or bliss : beatify
2. : to make heavenly or utterly happy in character