heartstrings — late 15c., originally literal, in old anatomy theory the tendons and nerves that brace the heart; from HEART (Cf. heart) + STRING (Cf. string). Transferred and figurative sense from 1590s … Etymology dictionary
heartstrings — [härt′striŋz΄] pl.n. [orig. tendons or nerves formerly believed to brace the heart] deepest feelings or affections … English World dictionary
heartstrings — n. deep feelings to tug at smb. s heartstrings * * * [ hɑːtˌstrɪŋz] [ deep feelings ] to tug at smb. s heartstrings … Combinatory dictionary
heartstrings — [[t]hɑ͟ː(r)tstrɪŋz[/t]] N PLURAL: oft with poss If you say that someone or something tugs at your heartstrings, you mean that they cause you to feel strong emotions, usually sadness or pity. She knows exactly how to tug at readers heartstrings … English dictionary
heartstrings — /hahrt stringz /, n.pl. the deepest feelings; the strongest affections: to tug at one s heartstrings. [1475 85; HEART + STRINGS] * * * … Universalium
heartstrings — heart|strings [ˈha:tˌstrıŋz US ˈha:rt ] n [plural] tug/tear/pull at sb s heartstrings to make someone feel strong love or sympathy … Dictionary of contemporary English
heartstrings — heart|strings [ hart,strıŋz ] noun tug/pull/tear at someone s heartstrings to make someone feel a lot of love or sympathy … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
heartstrings — noun (plural) tug /tear at sb s heartstrings to make someone feel strong love or sympathy … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
heartstrings — UK [ˈhɑː(r)tˌstrɪŋz] / US [ˈhɑrtˌstrɪŋz] noun tug/pull/tear at someone s heartstrings to make someone feel a lot of love or sympathy … English dictionary
heartstrings — [ˈhɑːtˌstrɪŋz] noun tug/pull at sb s heartstrings to make someone feel a lot of love or sympathy[/ex] … Dictionary for writing and speaking English
heartstrings — heart•strings [[t]ˈhɑrtˌstrɪŋz[/t]] n. pl. the deepest feelings; the strongest affections: to tug at one s heartstrings[/ex] • Etymology: 1475–85; orig. alluding to tendons that were thought to brace the heart … From formal English to slang
