heaven Hear it!

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heaven definition

heaven (hev′ən)

noun

  1. the space surrounding or seeming to overarch the earth, in which the sun, moon, and stars appear; visible sky; firmament: in pl., used with the
  2. Theol.
    1. a state or place of complete happiness or perfect rest, attained by the good after death; specif. esp., in Christian theology, the state or place of perfect union with God and so of eternal life and supreme happiness, attained by the elect after death
    2. popularly the abode of God, his angels, and the blessed
    3. those in heaven
    4. the powers of heaven; also, God Heaven help you!
    1. any place of great beauty and pleasure
    2. a state of great happiness

Etymology: ME heven < OE heofon < IE base *em-, to cover (> LL camisia, shirt): akin to OHG himil and to OS hevan, ON, himinn (dat. hifne), with -fn, -v-n < -mn by dissimilation

heaven Idioms

move heaven and earth

to do all that can be done; exert the utmost effort, influence, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms heaven idiom

heaven Synonyms

heaven

n.

  1. The sky; often plural

    welkin, empyrean, firmament, stratosphere, heights, atmosphere, azure, beyond, heavenly spheres, ether, the blue*, the wild blue yonder*; see also air 1, sky.

  2. The abode of the blessed

    Paradise, Elysian fields, Elysium, Great Beyond, Abode of the Dead, Olympus, Arcadia, Home of the Gods, Heavenly Home, God's Kingdom, Valhalla, Asgard, bliss, abodes of bliss, Zion, Holy City, Nirvana, welkin, inheritance of the saints, City Celestial, throne of God, Land of Beulah, Garden of Eden, Happy Isles, the New Jerusalem, afterworld, the divine abode, heavenly city, the city of God, abode of God and angels, our eternal home, the abode of saints, Kingdom of Heaven, next world, world to come, our Father's house, life beyond the grave, islands of the blessed, abode of spirits of the righteous after death, Fortunate Isles, happy hunting grounds*, the eternal rest*, Kingdom Come*, Abraham's bosom*, sweet by-and-by*, the hereafter*, the house not built with hands*; see also paradise 3.

    Antonyms hell*, underworld*, inferno. *

  3. A state of great comfort

    bliss, felicity, harmony; see happiness 2.

  4. Supernatural power; capital H

    God Almighty, Providence, Divine Love; see god.

move heaven and earth

do all one can do, exert the most influence, do one's best; see try 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

heaven Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • thank: Today is a much better day, thank heavens.

Modifies a noun

  • sake: For heavens sake, we cant wait that long!

Adjective modifier

  • seventh: Offered the chance to travel with the group, talk to Sun Ra, and attend the concerts, I rocket into seventh heaven.

Converse of object

  • forbid: Heaven forbid that Britain should expect a fair exchange!

Modifies a noun

  • scent: Heaven scent Parties, pets, partners - many things can interfere with the aroma of your surroundings.

Possessives

  • sake: For heaven's sake, how can ANYONE be surprised at the diseases Britain's animals suffer?

Preposition: in

  • cloud: And they trolled up up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Noun used with modifier

  • ye: Praise Him, ye heaven of heavens and ye waters that are above the heavens.
heaven usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

heaven quotes

   Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below.

-Addison,Joseph

It must be soöPlato, thou reason'st well!ö Else whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire, This longing after immortality? Or whence this secret dread, and inward horror, Of falling into naught? Why shrinks the soul Back on herself, and startles at destruction 'Tis the divinity that stirs within us; 'Tis heaven itself, that points out an hereafter, And intimates eternity to man. Eternity! thou pleasing, dreadful thought!

-Addison,Joseph

Rapt, twirling in thy hand a withered spray, And waiting for the spark from heaven to fall.

-Arnold, Matthew

heaven quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"heaven." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/heaven>

APA Style

heaven. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/heaven

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