Heaven

(hēv'n, 58), n. [A-S. heofon, heben, probably from hefian, hebban, to heave, and signifying elevated or arched; O. Sax. hebban, heban, hevan, L. Ger. hevan, hēven, heben.] 1. That which is heaved, thrown up, or elevated; especially, the arch which overhangs the earth; the sky; the atmosphere; the place where the sun, moon, and stars appear; — often used in the plural. I never saw the heavens so dim by day. Shak. 2. The dwelling-place or immediate presence of God; the home of the blessed; the abode of bliss; — a term used by Jewish, Christian, and Pagan writers, in varying senses, according to their different doctrines. “Unto the God of love, high heaven’s King.” Spencer. It is a knell That summons thee to heaven or hell. Shak. 3. The sovereign of heaven; the Omnipotent; Jehovah; God; — used variously in this sense, as in No. 2. “Her prayers whom Heaven delights to hear.” Shak. The will And high permission of all-ruling Heaven. Milton. 4. Supreme happiness; great felicity; bliss; a sublime or exalted condition; as, a heaven of delight. “A heaven of beauty.” Shak. “The brightest heaven of invention.” Dryden. Heaven is very often used in forming compound words, the most of which need no special explanation; as, heaven-appeasing, heaven-aspiring, heaven-banished, heaven-begot, heaven-conducted, heaven-descended, heaven-exalted, heaven-given, heaven-guided, heaven-inflicted, heaven-inspired, heaven-instructed, heaven-loved, heaven-moving, heaven-protected, heaven-taught, heaven-warring, and the like.