heaven

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. gahamōn 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I never saw the heavens so dim by day. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in heaven. D. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The dwelling place of the Deity; the abode of bliss; the place or state of the blessed after death. [ 1913 Webster ]

Unto the God of love, high heaven's King. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this general sense heaven and its corresponding words in other languages have as various definite interpretations as there are phases of religious belief. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The will
And high permission of all-ruling Heaven. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

O bed! bed! delicious bed!
That heaven upon earth to the weary head! Hood. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]