Anatomy The chambered muscular organ in vertebrates that pumps blood received from the veins into the arteries, thereby maintaining the flow of blood through the entire circulatory system.
Anatomy A similarly functioning structure in invertebrates.
The area that is the approximate location of the heart in the body; the breast.
The vital center and source of one's being, emotions, and sensibilities.
The repository of one's deepest and sincerest feelings and beliefs: an appeal from the heart; a subject dear to her heart.
The seat of the intellect or imagination: the worst atrocities the human heart could devise.
Emotional constitution, basic disposition, or character: a man after my own heart.
One's prevailing mood or current inclination: We were light of heart.
Capacity for sympathy or generosity; compassion: a leader who seems to have no heart.
Love; affection: The child won my heart.
Courage; resolution; fortitude: The soldiers lost heart and retreated.
The firmness of will or the callousness required to carry out an unpleasant task or responsibility: hadn't the heart to send them away without food.
A person esteemed or admired as lovable, loyal, or courageous: a dear heart.
The central or innermost physical part of a place or region: the heart of the financial district. See Synonyms at center.
The core of a plant, fruit, or vegetable: hearts of palm.
The most important or essential part: get to the heart of the matter.
A conventional two-lobed representation of the heart, usually colored red or pink.
Games A red, heart-shaped figure on certain playing cards.
Games A playing card with this figure.
Games The suit of cards represented by this figure.
Games A card game in which the object is either to avoid hearts when taking tricks or to take all the hearts.
Archaic To encourage; hearten.
at heart In one's deepest feelings; fundamentally.
by heart Learned by rote; memorized word for word.
do (one's) heart good To lift one's spirits; make one happy.