heartburn

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A burning pain in the chest that is caused by stomach acid entering the gullet.
  2. annoyance, heartache, or similar feelings.

Pronunciation

/ˈhɑːtˌbɜːn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-heartburn.wav /ˈhɑɹtˌbɝn/

Word forms

heartburn heartburns heart-burn

Etymology

From Middle English hertbryne, herte-bren (“lust", also "heartburn”, literally “heart burn”), equivalent to heart + burn. Compare also Middle English herte-brennyng (“anger, bitterness, heartburn”, literally “burning of/in the heart, heart-burning”). Compare also Ancient Greek καρδιαλγία (kardialgía), from καρδία (kardía, “heart”) + ἄλγος (álgos, “pain”). From being a burning sensation near the location of the heart in the chest.

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