heaven
UK[ˈhɛv.ən]US[ˈhɛv.ən]
n
the place believed to be the home of god and of angels and good people after death
n
the sky, especially when considered as the place where the stars, sun, and moon are
Etymology
the modern english word "heaven" descends directly from the old english "heofon," which referred to the sky, the firmament, and the abode of god. this old english term is of germanic origin, related to old saxon "heƀan," old norse "himinn," and gothic "himins." scholars suggest a possible proto-indo-european root meaning "to cover" or "to vault," conceptually linking the sky as a canopy over the earth. over time, the meaning specialized in christian contexts to denote the divine realm, while retaining its older, more general sense of the visible sky.
Analysis
the word "heaven" is a simplex word of old english origin. it does not break down into smaller, meaningful morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
she believed her kindness would earn her a place in heaven.
the stars shone brightly in the night heaven.
it was a match made in heaven.