Heal

v. t. [imp. & p. p. HEALED; p. pr. & vb. n. HEALING.] [A-S. hēlan, from hāl, hale, sound, whole; O. Sax. hēlian, Goth. hailjan, D. heelen, Dan. heele, or hele, Sw. hela, O. H. Ger. heilan, N. H. Ger. heilen. See HALE.]

1Sense 1. To make hale, sound, or whole; to cure of a disease or wound, and restore to soundness, or to that state of body in which the natural functions are regularly performed.

Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Matt. viii. 8.

2Sense 2. To remove or subdue; — said of a disease or wound.

3Sense 3. To restore to original purity or integrity.

Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters. 2 Kings ii. 21.

4Sense 4. To reconcile, as a breach or difference; to make whole.

I will heal their backsliding. Hos. xiv. 4.

[A-S. helan, to cover, conceal. See HELE.] To cover, as a roof with tiles, slate, lead, and the like. [Obs.]

v. i. To grow sound; to return to a sound state; as, the limb heals, or the wound heals; — sometimes with up or over; as, it will heal up, or over.