heaven
['hɛvən]
n. 堂, ,



heaven
[ noun ]

1. any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

<noun.location>

2. the abode of God and the angels

<noun.cognition>

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.

I never saw the heavens so dim by day. --Shak.

When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last
time the sun in heaven. --D. Webster.

2. The dwelling place of the Deity; the abode of bliss; the
place or state of the blessed after death.

Unto the God of love, high heaven's King. --Spenser.

It is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell. --Shak.

New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven. --Keble.

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.

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.

The will
And high permission of all-ruling Heaven. --Milton.

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.

O bed! bed! delicious bed!
That heaven upon earth to the weary head! --Hood.

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.


Heaven \Heav"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Heavened} (h[e^]v"'nd);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Heavening}.]
To place in happiness or bliss, as if in heaven; to beatify.
[R.]

We are happy as the bird whose nest
Is heavened in the hush of purple hills. --G. Massey.