Heaven \Heav"en\ (h[e^]v"'n), n. [OE. heven, hefen, heofen, AS.
heofon; akin to OS. hevan, LG. heben, heven, Icel. hifinn; of
uncertain origin, cf. D. hemel, G. himmel, Icel. himmin,
Goth. himins; perh. akin to, or influenced by, the root of E.
heave, or from a root signifying to cover, cf. Goth.
gaham[=o]n to put on, clothe one's self, G. hemd shirt, and
perh. E. chemise.]
1. The expanse of space surrounding the earth; esp., that
which seems to be over the earth like a great arch or
dome; the firmament; the sky; the place where the sun,
moon, and stars appear; -- often used in the plural in
this sense.
[1913 Webster]
I never saw the heavens so dim by day. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last
time the sun in heaven. --D. Webster.
[1913 Webster]
2. The dwelling place of the Deity; the abode of bliss; the
place or state of the blessed after death.
[1913 Webster]
Unto the God of love, high heaven's King. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
It is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven. --Keble.
[1913 Webster]
Note: In this general sense heaven and its corresponding
words in other languages have as various definite
interpretations as there are phases of religious
belief.
[1913 Webster]
3. The sovereign of heaven; God; also, the assembly of the
blessed, collectively; -- used variously in this sense, as
in No. 2.; as, heaven helps those who help themselves.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Her prayers, whom Heaven delights to hear. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The will
And high permission of all-ruling Heaven. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
4. Any place of supreme happiness or great comfort; perfect
felicity; bliss; a sublime or exalted condition; as, a
heaven of delight. "A heaven of beauty." --Shak. "The
brightest heaven of invention." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
O bed! bed! delicious bed!
That heaven upon earth to the weary head! --Hood.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Heaven is very often used, esp. with participles, in
forming compound words, most of which need no special
explanation; as, heaven-appeasing, heaven-aspiring,
heaven-begot, heaven-born, heaven-bred,
heaven-conducted, heaven-descended, heaven-directed,
heaven-exalted, heaven-given, heaven-guided,
heaven-inflicted, heaven-inspired, heaven-instructed,
heaven-kissing, heaven-loved, heaven-moving,
heaven-protected, heaven-taught, heaven-warring, and
the like.
[1913 Webster]
|
