n.1. Anatomy a. 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.
b. A similarly functioning structure in invertebrates.
2. The area that is the approximate location of the heart in the body; the breast.
3. a. The vital center and source of ones being, emotions, and sensibilities.
b. The repository of ones deepest and sincerest feelings and beliefs: an appeal from the heart; a subject dear to her heart.
c. The seat of the intellect or imagination: the worst atrocities the human heart could devise.
4. a. Emotional constitution, basic disposition, or character: a man after my own heart.
b. Ones prevailing mood or current inclination: We were light of heart.
5. a. Capacity for sympathy or generosity; compassion: a leader who seems to have no heart.
b. Love; affection: The child won my heart.
6. a. Courage; resolution; fortitude: The soldiers lost heart and retreated.
b. The firmness of will or the callousness required to carry out an unpleasant task or responsibility: hadnt the heart to send them away without food.
7. A person esteemed or admired as lovable, loyal, or courageous: a dear heart.
8. a. The central or innermost physical part of a place or region:
the heart of the financial district. See Synonyms at
center.
b. The core of a plant, fruit, or vegetable: hearts of palm.
9. The most important or essential part: get to the heart of the matter.
10. A conventional two-lobed representation of the heart, usually colored red or pink.
11. Games a. A red, heart-shaped figure on certain playing cards.
b. A playing card with this figure.
c. hearts (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The suit of cards represented by this figure.
d. A card game in which the object is either to avoid hearts when taking tricks or to take all the hearts.
