Definition of "heart"

[…] I did almoſt beleeve, that the motion of the Heart vvas knovvn to God alone: […]

1653, William Harvey, “The Causes which Mov’d the Author to Write”, in [anonymous], transl., The Anatomical Exercises of Dr. William Harvey […] Concerning the Motion of the Heart and Blood. […], London: […] Francis Leach, for Richard Lownes […], page 1

In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.

1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, “The Tutor's Daughter”, in Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion‎, page 266

Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

1943, Katherine Woods, transl., The Little Prince, translation of original by Antoine de Saint Exupéry

"Do what the heart commands," Tothero says. "The heart is our only guide."

1960, John Updike, 'Rabbit, Run', page 47

Upon his browes was pourtraid vgly death, / And in his eies the furies of his heart, / That ſhine as Comets, menacing reueng, / And caſts a pale complexion on his cheeks.

c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, Act III, scene ii

Calm and deep peace in this wide air,⁠These leaves that redden to the fall;⁠And in my heart, if calm at all,If any calm, a calm despair: […]

1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], canto XI

Eve, recovering heart, replied.

1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,

The expelled nations take heart, and when they fled from one country, invaded another.

c. 1679, William Temple, Essay

"We provided a lot of brains and a lot of heart to the response when it was needed," says Sandra Sanchez, director of AFSC's Immigrants' Voice Program in Des Moines.

2008, "Rights trampled in rush to deport immigrant workers," Quaker Action (magazine), vol. 89, no. 3, page 8

The result still leaves Wales bottom of the group but in better heart for Tuesday night's trip to face England at Wembley, who are now outright leaders after their 3-0 win in Bulgaria.

2011 September 2, “Wales 2-1 Montenegrof”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎

The heart from the home team was immense. Some of them were out on their feet before the end, but they dug in, throwing themselves in front of shots and crosses, surviving.

2016 September 28, Tom English, “Celtic 3–3 Manchester City”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎, BBC Sport

Both theſe unhappy Soils the Swain forbears, / And keeps a Sabbath of alternate Years: / That the ſpent Earth may gather heart again; / And, better'd by Ceſſation, bear the Grain.

1697, Virgil, “The First Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], page 52, lines 106–109

My King, my Jove, I speak to thee, my heart!

c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene v]

Awake, dear heart, awake. Thou hast slept well./Awake.

1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene ii]

Certain unscrupulous men may call upon you here in your dressing-room. They will lavish you with flowers, with compliments, with phials of Hungary water and methuselahs of the costliest champagne. You must be wary of such men, my hearts, they are not to be trusted.

1991, Stephen Fry, The Liar, pages 9–10

[…] I would outstare the sternest eyes that look, / Outbrave the heart most daring on earth, / Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, / Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, […]

c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene i]

"Aw. Thank you." The Cherub kissed the air between them and sent a small cluster of tiny red hearts at her.

1998, Pat Cadigan, Tea From an Empty Cup, page 106

At last she spoke in a low voice, hesitating slightly, nevertheless going with incisive directness into the very heart of the problem.

1899, Robert Barr, chapter 3, in The Strong Arm

Arcelia Silva Martinez: Watch out!/Arcelia Silva Martinez: We've got geth in the tower./Fai Dan: Protect the heart of the colony!

2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, PC, scene: Feros

Norwich's attack centred on a front pair of Steve Morison and Grant Holt, but Younes Kaboul at the heart of the Tottenham defence dominated in the air.

2011 December 27, Mike Henson, “Norwich 0 - 2 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport‎

We're but the sum of all our terrors until we heart the dove.

2001 April 6, Michael Baldwin, “The Heart Has Its Reasons”, in Commonweal

I guess at this point we were supposed to feel elated she'd come to her senses and decided she hearts dogs after all.

2006, Susan Reinhardt, Bulldog doesn't have to rely on the kindness of strangers to draw attention, Citizen-Times.com

The further we delve into this "story", the more convinced we become of one thing: We heart the Goss.

2008 January 30, “Cheese in our time: Blur and Oasis to end feud with a Stilton”, in The Guardian, London

Lots of people say they love their hometown, but no one hearts NY quite like Milton Glaser.

2019 July 4, John Leland, “Why This Famous Graphic Designer, at 90, Still ♥s NY”, in New York Times‎

[…] My cause is hearted; thine hath no less reason.

c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene iii]