First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
heath
noun \ˈhēth\
: an area of land that is covered with grass and small shrubs
Full Definition of HEATH
1
a : a tract of wasteland b : an extensive area of rather level open uncultivated land usually with poor coarse soil, inferior drainage, and a surface rich in peat or peaty humus
2
a : any of a family (Ericaceae, the heath family) of shrubby dicotyledonous and often evergreen plants that thrive on open barren usually acid and ill-drained soil; especially : an evergreen subshrub of either of two genera (Erica and Calluna) with whorls of needlelike leaves and clusters of small flowers b : any of various plants that resemble true heaths
— heath·less \-ləs\ adjective
— heath·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— heathy \ˈhē-thē\ adjective
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Origin of HEATH
Middle English heth, from Old English hǣth; akin to Old High German heida heather, Old Welsh coit forest
Related to HEATH
Other Ecology Terms
Heath
biographical name \ˈhēth\
Definition of HEATH
Sir Edward (Richard George) 1916–2005 British prime min. (1970–74)
HEATH Defined for Kids
heath
noun \ˈhēth\
Definition of HEATH for Kids
1
: a low, woody, and often evergreen plant that grows chiefly on poor wet soil
2
: a usually open level area of land on which heaths can grow
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