heath

¹

[ heeth ]

noun

1. a tract of open and uncultivated land; wasteland overgrown with shrubs.
2. any of various low-growing evergreen shrubs common on such land, as the common heather, Calluna vulgaris.
3. any plant of the genus Erica, or of the family Ericaceae.

Heath

²

[ heeth ]

noun

1. Sir Edward (Richard George), 1916–2005, British statesman: prime minister 1970–74.

heath

¹

/ hiːθ /

noun

1. a large open area, usually with sandy soil and scrubby vegetation, esp heather
2. Also calledheather any low-growing evergreen ericaceous shrub of the Old World genus Erica and related genera, having small bell-shaped typically pink or purple flowers
3. any of several nonericaceous heathlike plants, such as sea heath
4. any of various heathlike plants of the genus Epacris : family Epacridaceae
5. any of various small brown satyrid butterflies of the genus Coenonympha, with coppery-brown wings, esp the large heath ( C. tullia )

Heath

²

/ hiːθ /

noun

1. HeathEdward (Richard George)19162005MBritishPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: prime minister Sir Edward ( Richard George ). 1916–2005, British statesman; leader of the Conservative Party (1965–75); prime minister (1970–74)

Derived Forms

• ˈheathy, adjective
• ˈheathˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• heathless adjective
• heathlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heath¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English hǣth; cognate with German Heide, Old Norse heithr, Gothic haithi; akin to Welsh coed trees, wood

Word History and Origins

Origin of heath¹

Old English hǣth; related to Old Norse heithr field, Old High German heida heather

Example Sentences

Polio is just one part the heath crisis facing Gaza.

From BBC

There is no doubt that a disease in one corner of the world can suddenly become a global heath threat.

From Salon

And I like the building itself, with all the heath piles on the outside.

From Los Angeles Times

On a stylized heath, the mad king howled his wounded howl.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the questions the mothers answered addressed heath problems with no obvious medical cause, including headaches, cramps, nausea and skin rashes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expanse
• field
• grassland
• meadow
• plateau
• prairie
• steppe