heartstrings

== English == === Etymology === From Late Middle English hartestrynges, hert strynges, from Middle English herte (“heart”) + strenges, strynges (“cords, strings”). The English word is analysable as heart +‎ strings. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈhɑːtstɹɪŋz/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈhɑɹtˌstɹɪŋz/ Hyphenation: heart‧strings === Noun === heartstrings pl (normally plural, singular heartstring) (anatomy) (historical) The tendons or other structures resembling cords once thought to be attached to, or to brace, the heart; especially the aorta, pulmonary artery, and other large arteries connected to them; also, the diaphragm. [15th–19th c.] (by extension) Synonym of chordae tendineae (“the cord-like tendons that connect the papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve and the mitral valve in the heart”). (figurative) The source of one's deepest emotions or inner feelings, especially compassion or love. [from 16th c.] (archaic) The essential or vital part of something; the core, the essence, the heart. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:gist ==== Usage notes ==== Sense 2.1 (“source of one’s deepest emotions or inner feelings”) is often used with words like play, pull, and tug, drawing an analogy between heartstrings and the strings of a musical instrument. ==== Alternative forms ==== heart-strings, heart strings ==== Derived terms ==== play on someone's heartstrings pull at someone's heartstrings tug at someone's heartstrings ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === Heart Strings (disambiguation) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia